TSAMTO, May 4. The Algerian Air Force received a second military transport aircraft "Super Hercules" in the LM-100J version (a civilian version of the serial military transport aircraft C-130J).
As reported by Scramble.nl, the aircraft in the LM-100J "Super Hercules" version was delivered on April 24 to Bufarik Air Base from Lockheed Martin in Greenville (pcs.South Carolina) after refueling at St. Johns International Airport (Canada).
According to the publication, the first aircraft with serial number 7T-WJA (construction number 382-5818), a former Lockheed-Martin LM-100J N5103D demonstrator, arrived in Algeria on January 23, 2022.
The second C-130J, serial number 7T-WJB (construction number 382-5824), is also a former civilian aircraft. It was operated by Pallas Aviation under the number N5105A and exhibited as an exhibit at the Le Bourget Air Show in 2019.
As previously reported by TSAMTO, the contract signed in 2018 with Lockheed Martin provided for the supply of four new aircraft to the Algerian Air Force and included an option to purchase four additional Super Hercules.
As it has now become known to the publication Scramble.nl, the total order was two aircraft in the civilian version of the LM-100J and four new serial C-130J. Thus, the Algerian Air Force, which already has several Hercules aircraft of earlier versions in service, will become the second operator of the C-130J modification in Africa in terms of the number of aircraft after Tunisia.
The six Super Hercules ordered will join eight C-130H, six C-130H-30 and two L-100-30s in service with the 2nd Tactical Transport and Logistics Squadron of the Algerian Air Force stationed at the Boufarik Air Base. It is assumed that all aircraft are in a suitable condition for flights. The Algerian Air Force also operates three IL-76MD and eight Il-76TD aircraft.
Recall that for the first time, the Algerian Air Force plans to purchase new C-130J in March 2021 were reported by the Mena Defense resource. In May of the same year, the aviation website Avionslegendaires.net With reference to sources in Lockheed Martin confirmed the sale of four Hercules aircraft to Algeria. Pilots and technical personnel of the Algerian Air Force were trained in the USA. According to the resource, all aircraft should be delivered by the end of 2023.
