With the recent deliveries to India, a new region can see firsthand the tremendous proven capability of the world’s most successful airlifter.  The C-130J is ideally suited to the operating conditions found in the Far East and is the only aircraft that can meet the multiple mission needs of countries in the region.

The Super Hercules is the most advanced airlifter ever built. It combines the latest in aerospace technology with a proven, rugged airframe design, resulting in an aircraft that gives an operator more capability with greater operational efficiency.

Decades of production have demonstrated that there is nothing like a Hercules and nothing that can replace a Hercules. Some have tried and some are still trying, but the reality is that the aircraft’s concept, design and proven capabilities have been, and still are, the standard for airlift throughout modern history.

The C-130J program continues to deliver new capability to new countries and existing operators. India and Qatar have joined the global C-130 operator family, while the U.S. Air Force recently received new HC-130J Personnel Recovery and MC-130J Special Operations aircraft. Lockheed Martin recently rolled out the 2400^th C-130, thus demonstrating the longevity and stability of the C-130 Hercules design.

Primary features of the new C-130J include a new digital avionics architecture, a new propulsion system, twin head-up pilot displays certified as primary flight instruments, and dual mission computers which automate many functions, allowing the aircraft to be operated by only two pilots and a loadmaster.

The net effect of these improvements is enhanced performance of the aircraft and greater reliability of the systems and components. For instance, when compared with earlier C-130 models, the C-130J provides 40 percent greater range, 40 percent higher cruising ceiling, 50 percent decrease in time-to-climb, 21 percent increase in maximum speed, and 41 percent decrease in maximum effort takeoff run.

A key to the C-130J’s increased performance is the new propulsion systems. Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines, each flat rated at 4,591 shaft horsepower, generate 29 percent more thrust although they are 15 percent more fuel efficient. An all-composite six-blade Dowty Aerospace R391 propeller system is lighter and has fewer moving parts than previous Hercules propellers. Engines are precisely controlled by a full authority digital electronic control.

The heart of the new Hercules advanced technology is its modern flight station with multi-function, liquid crystal displays (LCD) for aircraft flight control, operating, and navigation systems. In addition to the four displays on the instrument panel, pilots use holographic head-up displays as primary flight instruments, a precedent among military transports.

The displays are all compatible with night vision imaging systems, enabling the crew to operate the aircraft in areas where special missions dictate blackout conditions. The dual mission computers manage and automate many of the functions formerly performed by the flight engineer and navigator. Aircraft systems are constantly monitored and crews are advised of aircraft status as required.

Some of the new aircraft systems that are managed by the mission computers include the full authority digital engine controls, the advisory caution and warning system, automatic thrust control, computerized maintenance recording, the electronic circuit breaker system, the enhanced stall warning system, the advanced digital map, and a state-of-the-art communication/navigation suite.

The C-130J takes full advantage of Global Positioning System and other highly reliable, automated navigation and route planning aides. This allows the cockpit crew to focus on the mission and flying rather than on managing aircraft systems.