C-130

Latest in C-130

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering
Air

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Aurora Flight Sciences has released new renderings of an uncrewed fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable demonstrator aircraft it is currently working on, as well as of a revised vision for a scaled-up stealthy cargo aircraft based on the same technology.
Air

New Vision For Lift Fan Aircraft Family Grows From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's top special operations officer says AC-130J Ghostriders will continue being armed with 105mm howitzers for the foreseeable future despite the gunships evolving to as focus shifts to preparing for high-end fights.
Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

AC-130
Air

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 31, 2024

The US Air Force says an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has operated from a highway for the first time as part of the service's larger push to reduce its dependence on traditional runways. This is also comes amid questions about the future of the gunships in future high-end fights.
Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 5, 2024

An US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship recently used its 30mm and 105mm to help sink a decommissioned amphibious warship during an exercise, which comes amid a larger discussion about the relevance of these aircraft in future higher-end operations.
Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Hammers Amphibious Warship During Rare Appearance At Sinking Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

In a rare and impressive gathering, every airframe in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet converged at one location on 14 June 2024.
Air

Every Coast Guard Aircraft Type Pictured Together In Rare ‘Family Photo’

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.
Air

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

Exercise TARTAN SPIRIT has tested, trained and integrated critical capabilities to ensure they are ready for any operational missions. From scenario driven training to Tactical Landing Zones, this Exercise takes personnel from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s largest station and home to the UK’s Air Mobility Force, Prestwick Airport is the Deployable Operating Base and West Freugh the Forward Operating base. II Squadron RAF Regiment deployed alongside the Air Mobility Force to further strengthen their tactics, training and techniques alongside various aircraft. These skills are essential for ensuring RAF aircraft can operate safely across the globe. By training together we continue to provide integrated and scaleable Air Force Protection capability whilst preparing all RAF personnel for the rigours of operations, providing them with critical skills to survive, operate and maintain their operational edge.
Air

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

We now have our first look at a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command is developing that could arm AC-130J gunships and other aircraft.
Air

Our First Look At The Tiny Cruise Missile That Aims To Arm AC-130 Gunships

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

US Special Operations Command says it has 'hit pause' on plans to convert an MC-130J special operations tanker/transport in a floatplane.
Air

C-130 Floatplane Program Put ‘On Pause’ By Special Operations Command

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2024

The future of the Harvest Hawk armament kits for Marine Corps KC-130J tanker/transport aircraft are increasingly uncertain as focus shifts to planning for future high-end conflicts.
Air

Marine KC-130Js May Lose Their Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 1, 2024

A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.
Air

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 26, 2024

The first of 22 former Swiss F-5E/F Tiger II jets is now in the United States for the final phase of its conversion into an aggressor for the Navy and Marine Corps.
Air

Marine KC-130 Delivers First Of New Batch Of Ex-Swiss F-5s Destined To Be Aggressors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 5, 2024

The US Air Force no longer plans to flight test a laser directed energy weapon on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
Air

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

USSOCOM is looking for companies that can provide AESA radars for its C-130 fleet.
Air

AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024