The U.S State Department has cleared the sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft, three C-130J-30 transport and three KC-130J aerial refueling aircraft to Germany. The combined price adding up to $1.4billion (Ksh 140,850,500,000).
The purpose of the aircraft is to help German Air force conduct airlift, air refueling and air drop missions as part of the French-German allied squadron based in the Evreux, France. The C-130Js would provide crucial air refueling capability to German and French fighter and light transport aircraft, as well as helicopters, according to the announcement.
Once the sale is approved by the senate, the sale will go through negotiations that may change the totals and quantities.
Weapon Review
Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules aircraft
- Has a cargo volume of 4,551ft³ and has a maximum take-off weight of 79,380kg.
- Can carry up to 92 ground troops and equipment
- The KC-130J has a fuel capacity of 27,215kg that is allocated to its own engine and can be used to aerial refuel two aircrafts at once from each wing, with both wings offloading 1135 litres per minute simultaneously. This allows multiple receiver formations of not less than four aircrafts in 30 minutes.
- An additional 11,064kg of fuel can be offloaded from a specially configured internal fuselage 13,627 L (3,600-gallon) aluminum fuel tank.
- It can also be configured as a MEDEVAC aircraft accommodating 74 patients on stretchers, and their accompaniments.
- A minimal crew of three persons are required to operate this aircraft, including two pilots and one loadmaster. Navigator and flight engineer are no longer required.
- The tactical airlifter is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops.
