Lockheed Martin’s VP for Business Development Rob Weiss today touted the combat effectiveness of the C-130J in Southwest Asia, noting that its mission capable rates are now at or above 95 percent in the theater. The newest Hercules is demonstrating that it can haul heavy payloads more effectively and maintain increased survivability in the highest of combat op tempos, he said. The “J” is three times as effective as older models, said C-130J VP David Haines, and predicted the technology that was used to build the airlifter will “transform tactical airlift” in the years ahead.
“Bamboo Eagle,” the Air Force’s new advanced combat-readiness exercise, returned for its second year in recent weeks, featuring more than 175 aircraft and 10,000 personnel from four countries for the service’s latest large-scale exercise.