The US Air Force’s (USAF) new C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft has arrived at Ramstein Air Base (AB) in Germany, to replace one of 14 C-130J’s at Ramstein AB.
The new C-130J, which took off from the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company production facility in Marietta, Georgia, was retrieved by the 37th Airlift Squadron (AS) as part of a rotational process to upgrade existing aircraft.
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86th Airlift Wing vice commander colonel Joseph Wenckus said: “Replacing older aircraft rotationally allows us to balance out the number of older and newer planes in any given location, which strengthens the force.”
The aircraft features upgraded avionics, improved lift capacity, superior climb performance, and long-range landing field capabilities.
It adds 15ft to the fuselage and increases usable space in the cargo compartment, the USAF stated.
The C-130J’s large, unobstructed, fully pressurised cargo hold can be rapidly reconfigured for carrying troops, stretchers, passengers, or airdrop of troops and equipment into battle zones.
37th AS C-130J pilot major Kyle Bucher said: “The avionics are astronomically better in this aircraft than the older legacy model.
“It has improved performance, it’s faster, burns less fuel, carries more and requires fewer crew members.”
The aircraft is used for medical evacuation, humanitarian, airdrop, cargo delivery, firefighting, aerial refuelling, aerial spray, and arctic support missions.
The 37th AS is responsible for providing air support to European Command and Africa Command, ensuring tactical airlift assets and mission readiness for the theatre.
