[Miguel]

A Grécia moderniza a sua frota de C-130H (+-10) por €100milhões, o Egito está a receber 3 por €30milhões, entre muitos exemplos que demonstram que a modernização deste aparelho é a melhor solução para a FAP e para as finanças do país.

Poderia ser feito nas OGMA que possivelmente ficaria habilitada a fazer esses trabalhos noutros operadores de C-130, à semelhança do que faz na área da manutenção. É o que acontece em Espanha, por exemplo.

Sou contra a compra de 3 aeronaves, fosse A400 ou C-17, mesmo que possuindo consideráveis vantagens técnicas em relação ao C-130.

Sabendo que dessas 3 aeronaves apenas 2 estariam operacionais a qualquer momento (na melhor das hipóteses), e conhecendo a percentagem de horas de voo para missões de treino/conversão/etc, será fácil de constatar que a disponibilidade para as restantes operações ficaria áquem do desejado... Mesmo tendo em conta que o sucessor do Aviocar será capaz de suportar eficentemente destacamentos dentro do teatro europeu ou no Magreb...


Cumptos

Alinho tambem, que seria a melhor opção para a FAP era modernizar os C130H nas OGMA

[JLRC]

A Nova Zelândia vai optar pelo Upgrade dos C-130 :

C-130 Hercules Upgrade Contract Signed
 
 
(Source: New Zealand Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 15, 2004)
 
 
 New Zealand’s C-130 Hercules aircraft fleet is about to get a 15-year life extending upgrade with much of the actual conversion work being completed in New Zealand.  
 
The $226 million project contract was signed on Tuesday with suppliers L-3 Communications Spar Airspace. Defence Minister Mark Burton said that this was another significant step in re-equipping all three services of the NZDF.  
 
“Since the 2002 release of the Defence Long-Term Development Plan, 22 major re-equipment projects have been advanced. They include investments in seven new purpose-built naval vessels, a $352 million upgrade of our P-3 Orion fleet, the purchase of two 757-200 jet aircraft to replace our ageing 727s, and the recent acquisition of a new fleet of Light Operational Vehicles.  
 
“Our Hercules fleet is the workhorse of the Air Force, used for a wide range of military airlift tasks and civilian agency requirements. The C-130s provide support to deployed forces, transporting both personnel and/or large freight items. They can operate in conflict areas and on short and poorly prepared airfields. The C-130 fleet also supports counter-terrorism operations undertaken by the Police and the New Zealand Defence Force, as well as providing Antarctic supply flights and support disaster relief missions.”  
 
Mark Burton noted that the C-130 life extension and the C-130 communications and navigation equipment would both be upgraded together, with the two projects running in parallel to maximise efficiency and cost effectiveness.  
 
Modification work is scheduled to begin in early 2006 with the first aircraft being modified at L-3 Spar’s facility in Edmonton, Canada and the second to fifth aircraft upgraded in Blenheim at Safe Air Ltd. The life extension project will include the replacement of structural components in the wing and aircraft fuselage to manage fatigue, as well as upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems. The communications and navigation upgrade will ensure the aircraft are interoperable with our Defence and security partners. The upgrades also include ground-based support and training facilities.  
 
“This government has been committed from day one to building a modern, sustainable, well-equipped Defence Force, and this investment in our C-130 fleet is another clear example of that commitment. This major upgrade will extend the life of the aircraft, increase the reliability and availability of the fleet, and improve and modernise the C-130s communications and navigation systems,” said Mark Burton.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

.S. Air Force Deploys C-130Js for First Time
 
 
(Source: US Air Force Air Mobility Command; issued Dec. 16, 2004)
 
 
 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILL. ---The U.S. Air Force's C-130J Hercules -- the newest variant of the versatile C-130 aircraft -- deployed for the first time this month.  
 
The deployed force includes maintainers, operators and support Airmen from Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Squadron, Maryland ANG’s 135th AS, Air Force Reserve’s Command’s 815th AS at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and California ANG’s 115th AS at Channel Islands ANG Station.  
 
Lt. Col. Chris Hair, chief of Air Mobility Command's operations modernization division, said many of these Guard and Reserve Airmen are the same people who have worked so hard for the past two years preparing the J model for operational deployment.  
 
"We've maximized the use of taxpayer dollars to give them the combat capability that they paid for," he said. "The men and women in those units -- those Guard and Reserve warriors -- should be immensely proud of the contributions they've made to get this aircraft ready. Most of the actual work has fallen on their backs as the experts who fly this airplane day in and day out."  
 
The aircraft will fly the same mission earlier-model C-130s are now accomplishing, Colonel Hair said. During the past two years, we've worked very hard to prepare this aircraft for combat operations, and there is no doubt in any of our minds that this aircraft is ready to get out there and do what it was designed to do," he said.  
 
The J-model can climb faster and higher, fly farther at a higher cruise speed and take off and land in shorter distances than other C-130s, Colonel Hair said. That should make the J-model even more effective in a combat environment, he said.  
 
"It's time for the C-130J to take its place alongside other C-130 aircraft -- those heroes of tactical airlift," Colonel Hair said. "The C-130 has always been a versatile aircraft, capable of a variety of missions. The J-model is a continuation of that proud history.”  
 
-ends-

[typhonman]

A intenção da FAP, ja desde o tempo do CEMFA Alvarenga é comprar 8 C130J/J30.. Eu sou apologista da modernização dos 6 C130( alongamento dos 3 "curtos", substituição da asa, modernização da electronica, motores iguais aos do J, e sondas para poderem ser reabastecidos em voo), além disso compravam-se 2 C17.c

[Miguel]

como eu já o disse sou a favor da modernização dos C130H,e dentro de 10/15 anos poderia-se adquirir 6 Airbus A400M para substituir os actuais C130,porque nessa altura em 2020 o A400 já estaria operacional em varias forças aéreas europeias, e seria possivél adquirir essa aeronave com custos mais baixos.

[JLRC]

Deployed C-130Js Exceeding Expectations
 
 
(Source: US Air Force Air Mobility Command; issued Jan. 20, 2005)
 
 
 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILL. --- When the C-130J -- the newest variant of the versatile C-130 Hercules -- deployed for the first time nearly a month ago, Air Mobility Command officials said they were confident the aircraft would perform to their expectations.  
 
According to the C-130J deployed mission commander, during the first few weeks of the aircraft's deployment, the J model has met and in some cases exceeded those expectations.  
 
Col. Lawrence Gallogly, commander of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, said the C-130J has performed admirably, and all indications are the aircraft is ideally suited for conditions that require the higher power settings and increased cargo-carrying capacity of the C-130J.  
 
"We have only had [about four weeks] of flying in the theater, but we have already logged in excess of 393 flying hours, carried over 1,743 passengers and over 627 tons of cargo," said the colonel. And, he said as unit personnel become more familiar with the J model and its payload capacity, he expects those numbers will be even higher.  
 
Colonel Gallogly said one of the biggest benefits of the J model has been the aircraft's increased cargo capacity. He said two C-130Js can provide the cargo carrying capacity of almost three E and H model C-130s. "This is a force multiplier for the theater commander," added the colonel.  
 
Aside from the improved power capabilities and increased cargo capacity, Colonel Gallogly said the addition of the J models alongside the older C-130 aircraft has been nearly transparent.  
 
"We have assimilated [the C-130Js] into the pre-existing C-130 squadron with no noticeable difference," explained the colonel. "Of course we have a little good natured ribbing that goes back and forth between aircraft types, but it's all in fun. We've actually had quite a few E and H model crewmembers fly with us as observers during our orientation rides in theater, and I think they have been very impressed."  
 
Lt. Col. Mark Sheehan, 746th EAS director of operations, agreed that the orientation flights have changed more than a few opinions.  
 
"There were a great many urban legends about the C-130J throughout the other units," said Colonel Sheehan. "We provided a briefing to wing leadership and offered the opportunity for observers and operations group staff to fly with C-130J crews. Once they see the difference in performance and capability, they quickly agree that the C-130J is an outstanding tactical airlifter."  
 
In addition to its deployed mission success, Colonel Gallogly said the aircraft is also performing well in the area of "spare parts availability;" something some C-130J critics said would be a problem in a deployed environment.  
 
"Part of our job here is to identify which C-130J parts will be our high-failure-rate parts and which [parts] might hold up better than expected," explained the colonel. "Thus far, the supply system has been great at keeping up with the few needs we have had. Our mission capable rate is much higher than the fleet average, and spare parts simply have not been an issue."  
 
Although AMC officials are happy with the C-130J's initial success, the colonel said C-130J operators and maintainers still have a lot to learn, and he expects even more success from the newest member of the Hercules family.  
 
He credits the aircraft's successes to a total force effort of active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel.  
 
"We would not be here on this deployment today had it not been for a truly joint effort," he said. "We often hear the phrase 'one team one fight,' but we have lived it on several levels."  
 
Those "levels," according to the colonel, include the AMC headquarters staff, particularly the AMC's Operations Modernization Division, for getting the aircraft and the crews ready to deploy. He also credited Guard units in Rhode Island, Maryland and California, and Reserve personnel in Mississippi, who supported the deployment with C-130J aircrews and maintenance personnel.  
 
Colonel Sheehan said he also thinks the C-130J has performed "extremely well" during the first month of its deployment, and he also credits the aircraft's success to the maintenance personnel and crews who worked hard to integrate the new aircraft into the deployed operations.  
 
"We are part of the normal day-to-day operations and working the same shifts and missions as the other C-130 squadrons," he said. "This combat test is validation of both the aircraft and the training developed by the initial cadre of instructors. And when we return home, we can provide feedback to the [field training unit] at Little Rock [AFB, Ark.] and further refine training for future C-130J crews."  
 
Colonel Gallogly added that it's great to see the C-130Js operating alongside their active-duty counterparts as a single, integrated operation.  
 
"I’m proud to be part of [the C-130J's first deployment]," he said. "I hope it will set the standard of future deployments of the “J” and mark the beginning of a long and storied history of the next generation of Hercules."  
 
General John W. Handy, commander of Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command, has closely monitored the C-130J’s progress.  
 
“I am extremely pleased with the performance of the C-130J during this deployment,” he said. “That success is a testament to the dedicated, professional team of Airmen supporting the mission and the magnificent C-130J. Together, they are setting a pace that will be hard to beat!”  
 
-ends-

[Luso]

A notícia do JLRC cheira-me a graxa do militar americano de olho num emprego bem pago...
Estas incongruências são cada vez mais comuns nas FA dos EUA.


http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bi ... ele=jdc_34

"C-130J Flunks Testing
 
 
 The C-130J cargo aircraft essentially flunked its initial evaluation by the Pentagon’s top independent tester, Tom Christie, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation.  
 
Christie’s new report dubs the C-130J as “neither operationally effective nor operationally suitable,” and notes that the Air Force intends to deploy the aircraft despite “limited capabilities” to the Central Command early this year, before it completes the second phase of operational testing.  
 
Christie’s report was released just after the Pentagon leaked a proposal that it intends to terminate the C-130J cargo aircraft program. The C-130 Hercules has become a legend in military transport. However, the program to develop the C-130J, an aircraft that is “70 percent” different than previous models, has been characterized by inefficiency, waste, and a misguided acquisition strategy that doubled its original cost. In fact, none of the 50 or so aircraft already acquired by the Air Force had been certified as combat ready, according to a highly critical audit last summer by the Department of Defense Inspector General.  
 
Though the cost-cutting measure is a good idea, in upcoming months, the Secretary of Defense appears headed for a dogfight with several members of Congress who are acting on behalf of defense contractors and in their own political self interest, rather than looking out for the taxpayers and the nation’s fighting men and women. Earlier this month, 24 U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Bush asking that he not allow the C-130J program to be eliminated.  
 
The Senators’ letter disingenuously touts the merits of the original legendary C-130, not the “J” model. But Christie’s report said the C-130J “has more than 70 percent new equipment, relative to previous C-130 models,” and some have even said the C-130J should even have a new name of its own because it is so different than the original C-130.  
 
Among the criticisms contained in Christie’s report:  
 
-- Problems confronting the C-130J include “funding of logistics support and training systems; hardware, software and technical order deficiencies; manufacturing quality; subsystem reliability; failure to meet required measures of system effectiveness; and resolution of documented deficiencies."  
 
-- Major aircrew workload issues remaining include cargo loading and constraint requirements.  
 
-- The aircraft’s defensive systems have yet to demonstrate that they will work properly and the aircraft’s airdrop mission has yet to be evaluated by Christie’s office.  
 
-- Issues still confronting the weather reconnaissance version of the aircraft include radar performance in hurricane reconnaissance missions, propeller anti-ice protective cover peeling, and excessive vibration. "

[papatango]

Com a possível aquisição do avião da CASA/EADS C-295, será que vai voltar a estar na ordem do dia a substituição do C-130 pelo Airbus A-400?

No caso de Portugal voltar a entrar na "carruagem" do A-400, também será necessário fazer muito bem as contas, porque 3 x A-400, não fazem a mesma coisa que 6 x C-130J. Além de que, tais alterações retiraríam qualquer credibilidade a Portugal (sem comentários sarcásticos   )

O outro problema, pelo que entendo, são os motores. A possibilidade de os motores do C-27J e dos Hercules serem os mesmos, era uma vantagem logística, vantagem que se perde com a compra do C-295.

Cumprimentos

[Luso]

... e como os C130J não valem nada, não sei se não se irá mesmo regressar a esse caminho. O executivo é outro e isso tudo branqueia! : )

Já nem sei o que dizer. C130 recauchutados?

[papatango]

Fiz há uns tempos uma comparação rápida do C-130 x A-400 e concluí que os três A-400 não substituem 6 C-130, por exemplo no caso de uma necessidade de evacuação num país à distância de Angola.

No entanto, para concluír com alguma precisão é necessário analisar as características dos aparelhos, com mais detalhe, consumos vazio e com carga.

Se a possibilidade de Portugal voltar ao A-400 ocorrer, ainda agarro no Excel, e no Microsoft Flight Simulator,  para fazer umas contas.

Entre outros delirios, deveriamos considerar os Iliushin-76

Cumprimentos

[Luso]

Ooops!
Ia citar a tua intervenção e estragei-te o post!
Desculpa.

É o que acontece quando se é moderador e muito distraído...

[JLRC]

Entre outros delirios, deveriamos considerar os Iliushin-76

Cumprimentos

O Iliushin não digo, mas o Antonov não sei se seria um grande disparate. A Alemanha só não o encomendou por causa da Airbus. Qual é a sua opinião, Papatango?

[Maginot]

Sem querer ser racional, adorava ver um C-17 na FAP (sonhador).

[papatango]

Quando falei no IL-76,foi especialmente porque o avião existe.
Como sabemos, é um produto russo/ucraniano, pelo que isso implica, tripulação elevada e manutenção cara. Os custos de combustível pocdem ser proibitivos. Mas para aqueles lados têm petroleo, por isso combustível não é problema.

Já nós, temos que pensar duas vezes.

De aí, ao Antonov-70 é um saltinho., só que o avião pouco passa de protótipo:

Como o JLRC disse, o AN-70 provavelmente não foi vendido à Alemanha por causa do Airbus A-400M.

O mais grave, é que o AN-70, deverá ter um preço idêntico ao do Hercules C-130. Uma capacidade de carga máxima de 47 toneladas, contra 19 toneladas  no C-130J e 38 toneladas no A400-M,

A capacidade de transporte de tropas é de 300 homens no AN-70 (cerca de 120 no Hercules).

Com 20 toneladas de carga, o alcance dos aviões é o seguinte:
1.800 Km para o actual Hercules C-130H (com menos de 20T)
3.300 Km para o Hercules C-130J (ligeiramente menos que 20T)
6.750 Km para o Airbus A400M
7.400 Km para o Antonov AN-70

Infelizmente, o programa foi azarado por vários problemas (acidentes) que são normais nos projectos russos.

Esse é o principal problema. O outro é o problema dos sistemas pouco comuns nos países ocidentais. No entanto, este ultimo quesito parece que não foi considerado, na aquisição do C-295.

[JLRC]

HIGH-TECH HERK: Latest C-130J Evolution Arrives on Desert Ramp

Don't be fooled -- it may look like your run-of-the-mill C-130, but the new J-model is a flying computer, with enough avionics for some major high-tech muscle.

By Capt. Vanessa Hillman
Air Force News

The faster more powerful C-130 Hercules J-models and the stretch version C-130J-30s have arrived in Southwest Asia, bringing state-of-the-art technology to the war on terrorism.

Airmen with the Rhode Island Air National Guard's 143rd Airlift Squadron, the California ANG's 146th AS and the Maryland ANG's 135th AS joined forces here as the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron supporting airlift missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.

Looking at the aircraft from the outside, the untrained eye would be hard-pressed to see what the "J" fuss is about, but inside the aircraft it becomes obvious.


Herculees, Herculees: Airmen unload a C-130J Hercules after its arrival. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Randy Mallard)

The removal of the manual cargo locking system that required the loadmaster to walk to the front of the bay to lock cargo down gives loadmasters a break, said Master Sgt. Kevin Dodd, a loadmaster with the 746th EAS deployed from the 143rd AS.

"There is no manual cranking of the cargo straps," he said. "(In the J-model) you flip a switch throughout the plane to lock the cargo in place, cutting fatigue time down."

Also, pilots can "feather" the props when loading and unloading troops.

With feathering, pilots "can turn the propellers as the troops walk in or out the back of the aircraft," Sergeant Dodd said. This eliminates the massive blast in the faces of people boarding.

The high-tech Herk comes equipped with intense amount of avionics that are light years ahead of the previous models.

The new C-130J is a big flying computer, said Staff Sgt. Shea Reed of the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deployed from the 163rd AS. Combining such high technology and extreme desert heat can pose challenges for maintainers.

"Anything will have problems in this heat, and there is more of a tendency for the avionics to short out, but that's something you can control," she said. Especially with the J-model.

The improvement to the aircraft's air-conditioning system, intended to prevent difficulties with the avionics, is a bonus to those who work on it, Sergeant Reed said.

New avionics means a new mindset for the crew, said Master Sgt. Kevin Givens of the 379th EAMXS' avionics communications and navigation systems section deployed from the 143rd AS.

The plane went from one computer cable line to nine, with each having a redundant system, totaling 18, Sergeant Givens said. If a crew chief, loadmaster or other person on the team makes a change it can affect a number of other systems. It makes us work as a team he said.

"It creates a closer bond (among the crews)," Sergeant Givens said. "We get to learn more about their jobs, and they get to learn about ours."

Avionics troubleshooting is another benefit of the new design, said Tech. Sgt. Russell Giroux, of the 379th EAMXS' avionics communications and navigation systems section deployed from the 146th AS.

"Pilots and avionics technicians (get) more information to troubleshoot because the computer narrows what is wrong or gives you a fault code," he said. "You find your answer faster, saving time and money."

However, all the advances would make for one big paperweight without the bird's new muscle.

"Power is what gives us the capability over the other models -- that is the biggest difference," said Lt. Col. Dan Walter, 746th EAS operations officer deployed from the Rhode Island ANG.

The four upgraded engines deliver more raw power, equaling shorter takeoff distances, flying at higher altitudes and better fuel economy.

"The additional speed and certain circumstances can double the capability (of the previous C-130 models)," Colonel Walter said.

If two C-130s, one being a J-model, took off at the same time with equal cargo heading for the same destination, the J-model could arrive faster, aircrews could unload their cargo quicker and fly back with enough time to give them enough crew rest to fly another mission the next day, Colonel Walter said.

Copyright © 2005 Military.com.