The 317th Airlift Group at Dyess AFB, Tex., has taken delivery if its second new C-130J transport. The unit is building up to a force of 28 C-130Js by 2013. They will replace its legacy C-130Hs. At full strength, the group will constitute the Air Force’s largest C-130J unit. A Dyess aircrew brought the new-build aircraft to the base on Nov. 9, reports KTXS news of Abilene, Tex. Along for the ride was Lt. Gen. Christopher Miller, deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs. Back in April, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivered Dyess’ first C-130J.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.