© Air Force - Arrival of the first C-130J-30
Super Hercules at Orleans Air Force Base 123.
22nd December 2017 Alan
DELIVERY OF the first the Armée de l’Air (AdlA – French
Air Force) Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules, 5836 (c/n 5836) ‘61-PO’,
was completed today, December 22, when the aircraft arrived at Base Aérienne
123 (BA123) Orléans-Bricy. Although the
type will initially be based at Orleans, it will later operate from Evreux as
part of a joint Franco-German unit that is to be set up with four French and
six German C-130Js. Initial operational capability for this unit is planned for
2021, followed by full operational capability in 2024. An initial inter-governmental agreement
regarding the formation of this unit of pooled aircraft was signed on April 10,
2016, followed by a further agreement in principle on October 18, 2017. Germany plans to place an order for its six
aircraft in 2019, for delivery in 2021.
As previously reported on Warnsey’s World, this first
French aircraft had made its maiden flight at Marietta, Georgia, a month
earlier, on November 22. The DGA
subsequently awarded Lockheed Martin the French military type certificate for
the type, paving the way for delivery.
It will be operated by Escadron de Transport 2/61 ‘Franche-Comté’ and is
due to be formally accepted at a ceremony in mid-January. Additional French equipment will be installed
and tested by the DGA before it enters operational service.
The aircraft is one of four on order under a contract
signed by France’s procurement agency, the Direction générale de l’armement
(DGA – General Directorate of Armament), on January 29, 2016. The deal involves two standard transport
C-130J-30s and two KC-130J tankers. The
DGA acquisition contract also includes the support system, training of
personnel and maintenance in initial operational condition for a period of two
years. Lockheed Martin was awarded a
Foreign Military Sales contract for production of the two C-130J-30s on
December 1, 2016, while on the same day the company was awarded a separate
contract covering configuration changes to all four French aircraft. The second C-130J-30 is due for delivery in
2018, followed by the two KC-130Js in 2019.
They will supplement the current medium transport fleet of C-130Hs and
Transall C160Rs, of which the latter are due for withdrawal in 2023. The aircraft will also alleviate the capacity
problems resulting from delayed deliveries of new A400Ms.
Original post: warnesysworld.com
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