USAF looking at more C-130 upgrades

C-130 upgrades have been on-going with the USAF for years. Nothing really new in the idea. Just, what to do...

The U.S. Air Force is working to extend the service life of its fleet of C-130 combat delivery aircraft by replacing center wing boxes on some of the planes and adding new avionics, electronics and instrumentation, service officials told Military.com.

The modernization effort encompasses maintenance and technological improvements to the older C-130 H-model planes as well at the more modern C-130J aircraft, said Col. Robert Toth, division chief for special operations, rescue and trainer programs.

The Air Force now operates 362 C-130s, including 260 H-models and 102 more modern J-models. Overall, the services’ fiscal year 2015 budget calls for the delivery of 134 total J-models and maintenance of 194 H-models for a total force size of 328 C-130s, service officials said.

We could probably use a replacement for all C-130s. Looking toward the 2020s and beyond, 200-some of these may be a good, value decision.



And 80 or so for the USMC...