Israel Orders ‘Special’ C-130J-30s
Apr 11, 2011 15:46 EDT
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2nd plane bought, long lead items for the 3rd. (April 8/11)
In July 2008, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Israel’s request to buy up to 9 stretched C-130J-30 aircraft, which will replace some of the aging C-130 aircraft that Israel made famous in its 1976 commando raid at Entebbe, Uganda. Appropriately, the new aircraft will also contain a number of features associated with the new HC/MC-130J Special Forces aircraft bought by India and the USA.
It has taken some time, but Israel has finally become the 13th C-130J customer nation. The order of up to 9 planes looks like it will take a while to finish, though…
Contracts & Key Events
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Unless otherwise notes, these contract are issued to Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA.
April 8/11: Israel exercises a $76.2 million fixed-price not-to-exceed (NTE) options to buy a 2nd C-130J-30 aircraft, and begin planning and advance long lead procurement for the 3rd Israeli aircraft.
This unfinalized contract also includes recurring in-line production modifications for the 2nd aircraft to include but not limited to the following: Block 6X Operational Flight Program (DSCA cited Block 7.0, looks like Israel-specific mods), enhanced service life wing, 2 embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation System Embedded Module IVs with Precise Positioning System and GAS-1 controlled radiation pattern antenna, and a UARRSI receptacle on top of the plane to accept aerial refueling booms.
Work will be performed by Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, GA, and the 657th AESS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH manages the contract (FA8625-11-C-6597). A subsequent Lockheed Martin release says that Israel will receive its 1st C-130J-30 in spring 2013,with the 2 delivered in late 2013 and late 2014, respectively.
April 30/10: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, GA receives a $98.6 million contract, to provide one C-130J aircraft for the government of Israel. The contract also includes additional non-developmental items for the aircraft, and $18.5 million of foreign military financing has been committed by the 657th AESS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH (FA8625-06-C-6456).
This order has been some time in negotiation, and follows a July 30/08 DSCA announcement that covered up to $1.9 billion for 9 stretched C-130J-30 aircraft, with Special Operations features.
April 19/10: Lockheed Martin rolls out the first HC-130J combat rescue tanker, at an official ceremony in Marietta, GA. The 563rd Rescue Group, based at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and at Kirtland AFB, NM will be the first bases to receive the new model for training purposes once it has undergone initial testing, which typically takes about a year. Initial Operational Capability is slated for 2012.
The HC-130J, like all of the Special Forces C-130Js, uses a KC-130J tanker baseline. It adds the Enhanced Service Life Wing, Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (boom refueling receptacle), an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a combat systems operator station on the flight deck, and provisions for the large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) missile defense system. Lockheed Martin is currently contracted to build 21 HC/MC-130Js, and the USAF is currently authorized to buy up to 31 (11 HC-130J, 20 MC-130J). USAF | Lockheed Martin.
July 30/08: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces Israel’s request to buy 9 stretched C-130J-30 aircraft, which will replace some of the aging C-130 aircraft that Israel made famous in its 1976 commando raid at Entebbe, Uganda. Appropriately, the new aircraft will also contain a number of features associated with the new HC/MC-130J Special Forces aircraft bought by India and the USA.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX, and offset agreements are expected, but they will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Israel involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, program management, and training over a period of up to 5 years. The estimated cost is up to $1.9 billion, and the exact items will include:
- 9 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 United States Air Force (USAF) baseline aircraft including USAF baseline equipment and Block 7.0 Software. This implies the inclusion of engines, defensive equipment, etc.
- 6 Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines (implies 36 engines included in C-130J-30s)
- 9 of BAE’s AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (includes 3 spares)
- 9 of BAE’s AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers (includes 3 spares)
- 9 of ATK’s AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems (includes 3 spares)
- 9 of FLIR Systems’ AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites (includes 3 spares). This is a day/night surveillance and laser targeting turret.
- 4 spare AN/ARC-210 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS)
- 10 spare Secure Voice Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency Radios
- 4 spare Secure Voice High Frequency Radios
- 3 spare AN/AAR-222 SINCGARS and Key Gen (KV-10) Systems
- 1 KIV-119 Non-standard Communication/COMSEC equipment
- 2 ARC-210 Non-standard Communication/COMSEC equipment
- 10 External Pylons and Fuel Tanks
- 5 Internal Israeli Tank Modification Kits
The contract also includes defensive equipment, spare and repair parts, configurations updates, communications security equipment and radios, integration studies, support equipment, aircraft ferry and tanker support, repair and return, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, TX, and offset agreements are expected, but they will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Israel involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, program management, and training over a period of up to 5 years.
