rakesh_sabrah
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Lockheed Martin will begin flight trials of first of the six C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a few weeks, a media report said.
The first aircraft is expected to be ready for its maiden test flight by mid-summer. All six aircraft would be fully assembled by spring 2011, with the first aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in December this year, The Tribune newspaper quoted a spokesperson of Lockheed Martin as saying.
C-130J Super Hercules would further undergo a flight test in the Indian environment, before being formally commissioned into the IAF early next year.
In 2008, IAF had ordered six C-130Js for Special Forces, with an option for six more as a follow on order.
Currently, there are no US military aircraft in operation with the IAF. C-130J Super Hercules will be the first one after US B-24 bombers, Dakota and Packet transport aircraft, which were used by the IAF after independence.
The C-130J is a stretched version of the basic aircraft C-130 of US Air Force.
According to the report, the C-130J Hercules which will be delivered to India in the first quarter of next year can carry a maximum payload of around 20 tonne. It has been equipped with an infra-red detection set that would enable precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions.
The C-130s would primarily support airlift and para-drop of the Armys special forces.
Lockheed Martin will train the IAF aircrew and ground technicians which is expected to be based at the Hindon Air Force Station.
The first aircraft is expected to be ready for its maiden test flight by mid-summer. All six aircraft would be fully assembled by spring 2011, with the first aircraft scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in December this year, The Tribune newspaper quoted a spokesperson of Lockheed Martin as saying.
C-130J Super Hercules would further undergo a flight test in the Indian environment, before being formally commissioned into the IAF early next year.
In 2008, IAF had ordered six C-130Js for Special Forces, with an option for six more as a follow on order.
Currently, there are no US military aircraft in operation with the IAF. C-130J Super Hercules will be the first one after US B-24 bombers, Dakota and Packet transport aircraft, which were used by the IAF after independence.
The C-130J is a stretched version of the basic aircraft C-130 of US Air Force.
According to the report, the C-130J Hercules which will be delivered to India in the first quarter of next year can carry a maximum payload of around 20 tonne. It has been equipped with an infra-red detection set that would enable precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions.
The C-130s would primarily support airlift and para-drop of the Armys special forces.
Lockheed Martin will train the IAF aircrew and ground technicians which is expected to be based at the Hindon Air Force Station.
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