The US Air Force Special Operations Command plans to design, build and test a kit for converting the C-130J transport vehicle into a seaplane in 17 months. The military believes that this will make it independent of the runways and allow it to participate in a larger range of operations.
The American company Lockheed Martin has been producing the C-130 transporter since the 1950s, and the C — 130J is its newest version. It is equipped with four turboprop engines and can fly at a maximum cruising speed of 657 kilometers per hour. The maximum take-off weight of the C-130J is 79.4 thousand kilograms, and the range is 6.5 thousand kilometers.
The C-130J transporter is considered a universal aircraft. For example, this summer, the US military tested it as a carrier of cruise missiles. However, he can not sit on the water.
The US Air Force Special Operations Command is going to design, build and test a kit for converting the C-130J into a seaplane. The military wants to spend only 17 months on all these stages.
It is assumed that this kit will be removable. It will include two floats for landing on the water and retractable landing gear for landing on the runway. It can also be adapted for other C-130 aircraft with minimal modifications. The US military believes that the ability to land on water will allow the transport to participate in a wider range of operations.
Today, not only the United States, but also China are engaged in the development of a seaplane. He creates the world's largest amphibious aircraft AG600 . Russia also decided a few years ago to resume the A-40 Albatros seaplane project . But it is not known at what stage the work is currently at.
Vasilisa Chernyavtseva
