India's first Super Hercules airlifter dons IAF colours

Washington: The first of India's six C-130J Super Hercules airlifters, considered the world's most advanced transport aircraft, has emerged from the paint shop in Indian Air Force colours, roughly six months before its scheduled delivery.
Purchased from the US in a $1 billion deal, the tactical transport "aircraft now enters flight test in preparation for delivery at the end of the year," its manufacturer Lockheed Martin said releasing an image of the plane in IAF colours at its Marietta plant in Georgia
Lockheed last month released an image of India's first three of six stretched-fuselage C-130J-30s in final assembly and said the first example would arrive in India next February.
The plane, it said would provide the Indian Army and Air Force "new special operations capabilities using the world's most advanced airlifter."
The programme for India includes six C-130Js, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spare parts, and ground support and test equipment, it said. Also included is India-unique operational equipment designed to increase Special Operations capabilities.
Equipped with an infrared detection set (IDS), the aircraft for the first time will provide the IAF an ability to conduct precision low-level flying operations, airdrops and landings in blackout conditions.
26/06/10 Indo-Asian News Service/Hindustan Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jun 2010, New Jun 2010