The American Air Force seriously intends to conquer the water element. Yesterday, September 20, the portal militarytimes.com He reported that the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) announced the appearance of an amphibious version of the MC-130J Hercules military transport aircraft by the end of next year.
"I can say with confidence that we plan to hold a demonstration by December 31 next year. The MC-130J variant, capable of landing on water, will be better equipped for a wider range of tasks, as the Pentagon shifts its focus to coastal areas," said AFSOC Commander Lieutenant General Jim Slife.
MC-130J Amphibious Capability Amphibious Aircraft Render
Image source: militarytimes.com
The development of an amphibious version of the aircraft was called the MC-130J Amphibious Capability or MAC. The conversion of the transport vehicle will be minimal — the aircraft will differ from the basic version with removable "floats" that will provide the possibility of taking off and landing on water, as well as on some types of ground runways.
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft made its first flight in 1954, and two years later entered the US Air Force. For more than half a century, dozens of modifications of the C-130 have been developed, which are actively used in sixteen countries. In addition, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules is the most common military transport aircraft in the world. In the 60s, Lockheed was already working on an amphibious version of the C-130 Hercules, but the project did not progress beyond the prototypes. The Lockheed Martin MC-130 Commando II is one of the modifications of the latest version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and is operated by the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
