PPRuNe Forums - RNZAF C-130J

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It seems that the politicians in WLG have chosen the C-130J to replace the old H models, possibly the stretched version.
Anyone know any more? I thought the J was only slightly faster than the H and still too small?

They were originally had options to buy some in the Australian order in the late 90's, they cancelled that

Its probably a good decision, their current ones are pretty much EOL, they have most flight hours of any flying C130's in the world atm. Its not a big a step up in training and parts for them and gives service interoperability with the Australian C130J's

The airframes are from 1965 and 1968, there is also going to be review into australia's J's to see if they will be continued in service after 2025. They might even wind up buying those if AUS decides to a sell them

I remember many moons ago that I wrote a paper saying that the C130 was not up to using the new landrovers as they had to be dismantled to get them past the wheel wells. It was not only the landrovers but other kit also did not fit without being taken apart. I am sure that the NZ helos will not fit either.

J makes sense.
Familiar platform - C-17 too big, A400M and Embraer are unknowns.
The whole spending program is quite far sighted - more sat time and drones further out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tartare (Post 10490929)

J makes sense.
Familiar platform - C-17 too big, A400M and Embraer are unknowns.
The whole spending program is quite far sighted - more sat time and drones further out.

C-17 aren't an option because they have ceased production

The options they were looking at was C-130J, embrarer (boeing brazil) 390 and Kawasaki C-2, they went straight to no contest aquisition of 130J.

I still think the made the decision because they want/expect to take australia's old 130J's

Quote:

I kinda find that hard to believe, been the back a few times and dont remember seeing 'wheel archs' consider you can put aslavs (non turreted and deflated tires as hight is an issue), humvees and hawki's cant see how a land rover would not fit

I wonder if Shorts still have the jigs for the Belfast? :ok:

Seems strange to read that a Land Rover doesn’t fit in a -130. I can remember a Land Rover (90) fitting in a C47!

I wonder if any of the lightweight Landrovers are still about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_R...on_Lightweight

Carried many Landrovers both for airlanding and airdrop and cannot remember any problems with them fitting into our C130K. I thought the internal dimensions of the J were the same as the 'standard' Hercules.

Awesome seeing the surfboards on the roof - is that an RAF Herc?

Very handy too that the J can tootle all the way down to Willy's field, have a squiz at the weather, and then head back to Christchurch if it's sh1t.
Focuses the attention on the K when they announce "...we're now committed to landing in four hours time."

ght,
yes one of the RAF C130K models. Pic taken at the Shoreham Airshow . Because of the parking arrangements the Herc had to be positioned on the Friday before the show and could not leave until the Monday if memory serves, when all the surrounding exhibits had been moved. I had not been retired long so knew the 30 Sqn crew who allowed me to take my very young grandson (now an easyjet pilot) on to the flightdeck. He was amused to see that the overnight rain had done the usual trick of collecting in the co pilots nav bag.

Wellington taps C-130J as preferred type for airlift upgrade

Article today on Flight Global.

Quote:

Wellington has selected the Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport as the preferred candidate to replace its five C-130H aircraft.

It will seek pricing information on the aircraft via the US government’s Foreign Military Sales mechanism, says a defence ministry statement. Replacing the C-130Hs with a new type is “the highest priority project” for the government’s Defence Capability Plan in 2019.

“The current Hercules have served us well since the 1960s, but they have reached the end of the road, and suitable and proven replacement aircraft will need to be sourced,” says defence minister Ron Mark.

“The current fleet is increasing in cost to maintain, and is taking longer to put through maintenance. After considering the range of military air transport aircraft carefully, the Super Hercules has been selected as it offers the necessary range and payload capability as well as fully meeting NZDF’s requirements.”

The statement notes that over 400 CH-130Js have been delivered, and the type is used by key New Zealand allies such as the UnitedStates, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer indicates that the average age of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s C-130H fleet is 52.8 years, with an age range of 50.5 to 54.6 years.

The other types pitched for the requirement were the Airbus Defence & Space A400M and Embraer KC-390.

The statement stresses that a final decision has not been made, and the number of aircraft to be acquired has yet to be determined. The Defence Capability plan, however, estimates a total cost of over NZ$1 billion.

“Tactical air transport capability is one of the highest value assets available to New Zealand, offering huge utility to the community and nation, enabling movement of personnel and cargo around the country, the South Pacific, down to Antarctica and all around the globe,” says Mark.

“We need a proven performer, and this aircraft is tried and tested. We cannot take risks with what is one of our most critical military capabilities.”

Herod - Mo more Shorts, Only Bombardier, and the factory is up for sale. if no sale then 4500 high quality aircraft manufacturing jobs go, and not forgetting the supply chain.
A342

I've got one, 05-KD-27, still going strong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORAC (Post 10490990)

I wonder if any of the lightweight Landrovers are still about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_R...on_Lightweight

I think I ripped the doors off them all doing 'chute recovery at the Eastern end at Leuchars.
Certainly seemed to go tbrough a few.

Quote:

Herod - Mo more Shorts, Only Bombardier, and the factory is up for sale. if no sale then 4500 high quality aircraft manufacturing jobs go, and not forgetting the supply chain.

Yes, I know, and it's a crying shame. I was merely being flippant.

I don't get it. 'Interoperability' with Oz C-130J? In the transport sense I fail to see the advantage. Surely 'just as limited as Oz C-130J' would sum it up better, but that's hardly the underpinning of a robust procurement strategy.

I'm aware that Oz provide NZ with some load design assistance, but this hardly seems a reason to operate the same aging aircraft when the opportunity to modernise was available. Personally, I think not looking more seriously at KC-390 is an opportunity wasted given the capability leap that KC-390 would provide.