Lockheed Martin to hand over first IAF C-130J tomorrow

New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) US Air Force (USAF) will take
delivery of the first C-130J transport aircraft on behalf of
Indian Air Force (IAF) from American major Lockheed Martin at
their facility near Atlanta Thursday.
The C-130J aircraft is expected to considerably enhance
IAF's special missions capability.
The first of these four-engine 'Hercules' aircraft will be
brought to India by first week of February next year by an IAF
aircrew that is already training in the US to take over the
aircraft from the USAF.
"There will be a formal ceremony tomorrow at Marietta near
Atlanta in the US when the first of the six C-130J ordered by
India will be handed over to the USAF," a Lockheed Martin
official said here.
USAF is executing the USD 950-million contract signed by
the two countries in 2008 under the US government's Foreign
Military Sales route that includes an offset clause under
which the firm will invest 30 per cent of the deal amount back
in Indian defence industry.
The six aircraft will be used by IAF for the Indian
special forces operations. The aircraft will be based at
Hindan in Ghaziabad just outside the capital, where the
modernisation works to base the aircraft has been completed.
Nine sets of IAF crew comprising 18 pilots, nine load
masters and nine combat system operators are currently
undergoing training in the US.
Of them, five sets of crew members would complete their
training in February next year.
"Training involves classroom studies, computer based
applications, simulator and flight operations. Training is
being conducted at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas and
Marietta. Additionally, nearly 100 maintenance officers and
technicians are also being trained at these locations," a
Lockheed Martin official said.
After completing pilot flight training, the first two
aircraft will be flown to India early next year by the IAF
crew, he said. The remaining four aircraft will be delivered
two in early summer and two in late summer of next year.
In keeping with IAF requirements, the US government
offered a unique C-130J configuration modified for special
mission roles and these will be the first uniquely configured
aircraft in the IAF fleet for its special operations.
The aircraft will be able to perform precision low-level
flying, air drops, and landing in blackout conditions. Special
features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in
hostile air defense environment.
In addition these aircraft will have refueling probes,
advance radar warning receivers and counter measure dispensing
system for extended range and additional safety. PTI