Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Paratroop Testing – Another Milestone Success   

22 October 2001

Lockheed Martin recently satisfied U.S. Army and Air Force requirements to safely deploy paratroops from both sides of the C-130J-30 aircraft. With this success, Lockheed Martin has demonstrated that the C-130J-30 brings a new level of airdrop capability to both the Air Force as operator and the Army as end user. Current analyses show a close formation of 31 C-130J-30s will be able to drop 2,800 troops - an Army brigade - in less than five minutes. "This was probably one of the most significant milestones for this program to reach," said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin's C-130J program vice president. "The feedback from the Army has been nothing but positive, and the jump community certainly wants the new aircraft as soon as possible."

The C-130J-30 is central to the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts. With the need for rapid, flexible deployment and sustainment, one of the Army’s new weapons systems key acquisition parameters is the requirement for them to fit in a C-130J-30. No other aircraft offers the combined flexibility of strategic deployment of troops and armor, as well as intratheater, austere environment, tactical operations. Although designated a tactical airlifter, the C-130J-30 has demonstrated strategic capabilities with unrefueled, non-stop flights of more than 4,000 miles.

The C-130J-30's sophisticated navigation system allows the aircrew to achieve highly accurate drops in all weather conditions. The C-130J-30 can drop up to 92 paratroops at a time. Recent testing also included rapid ground evacuation of the aircraft with up to 128 troops, including tests at night. Deployment of paratroopers at high altitude from each side door and the ramp of the aircraft was demonstrated during C-130J-30 testing carried out this summer at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif.

The joint test program with the U.S. Air Force and Army validated the longer fuselage length C-130J-30 for paratroop airdrop operations. The tests were conducted by the Army’s Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate at Fort Bragg, N.C. The test missions were flown out of nearby Pope AFB, N.C., home of the 43rd Airlift Wing.

Following completion of testing, the aircraft was flown back to Marietta to be prepared for delivery in early December to the 143rd Airlift Wing, the Rhode Island ANG unit based at Providence, R.I.

The C-130J-30 is based on the standard C-130J model, but features a fuselage 180 inches (457.2 centimeters) longer than the standard C-130J model, providing the greater airlift capability required by many operators.

This version is the first stretched C-130J to be equipped with the computer-controlled Enhanced Cargo Handling System, which allows precise airdrop event sequencing and quick conversion from cargo floor tie-downs to rollers for palletized cargo.

When compared with the standard model, the J–30 can be used to carry 128 combat troops instead of 92, and 92 paratroops instead of 64. It can also carry eight standard 463L pallets rather than six, 97 medical litters instead of 74, and 24 container delivery system (CDS) bundles instead of 16.

Worldwide, 111 C-130Js and J-30s have been ordered. Current customers include the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F-22, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3 and U-2. The company leads a team competing for the development and production of the Joint Strike Fighter.

LM Aeronautics is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The corporation’s core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com 

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com 

CONTACT:

Peter Simmons
Phone: 770-494-6208
Email: peter.e.simmons@lmco.com