The availability of the existing C-130 and C-27J Spartans could be better, which needs to be immediately remedied with a purchase of new aircraft.
For this reason, on Tuesday 16 January 2024, a meeting of representatives of Lockheed Martin, Mr. Timothy German (Director, Global Pursuits), Mr. Lawrence Gallogly (Director Business Development), Mr. Tim Brackin (International Business Development), Mr. Ron Clifton (Air Mobility Improvements and Derivatives) and Mr. Christos Nikolaou (Director, Business Development Initiatives), with relevant staff of the CAA and the Air Support Command.
The purpose of the meeting was to present the capabilities of the C-130J aircraft manufactured by the company in question.
What is the "Lockheed Martin" aircraft
The C-130J Super Hercules is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. Although externally identical to the classic Hercules, the C-130J is a completely different aircraft.
Differences include new Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100 turboprop engines with six-bladed propellers, digital electronic systems, reduced crew requirements (only 2 pilots without a flight engineer and navigator), increased reliability and 27% reduced operating costs.
The C-130J is available in standard or extended version C-130J-30. Lockheed received the first order for the new model from the Royal Air Force, which ordered 25 aircraft. The first deliveries started in 1999 as Hercules C.Mk 4 (C-130J-30) and Hercules C.Mk 5 (C-130J).
There are also reports that the possibility of purchasing a similar number and type of C-130s from other countries is being considered.
C-130J - capacity-speed-range
Its transport capacity is capacity: 92 soldiers or 64 paratroopers or 6 pallets or 74 patients with 5 medical personnel, or 2-3 Humvees or 1 TOMA (with the turret removed) or an M113 armored personnel carrier.
Maximum speed: 362 kn (417 mph, 670 km/h) - Mach 0.59 at 22,000 ft (6,706 m) altitude
Airspeed: 348 kn (400 mph, 644 km/h)
Range: 1,800 nmi (2,100 mi, 3,300 km) at maximum normal payload (34,000 lb (15,422 kg))
The importance of the C-130J in the Aegean
We realize that by purchasing 6 C-130J aircraft, our country will gain the additional capability of carrying 552 troops or 384 paratroopers or 36 pallets or 444 wounded or 12-18 Humvees or 6 TOMAs (with the turret removed) or 6 M113 TUMPs in one route.
This is a huge force multiplier for the defence of our islands in the event of military operations with Turkey and these aircraft will play a key role for the East Aegean islands.
