Thu, Jan 20, 2005
Hardware And Software Problems Abound
The Lockheed-Martin C-130J, already
on the Pentagon's chopping block because of budget cuts, is still
having hardware and software problems that, in the opinion of some
evaluators in Washington, render it combat ineffective.
That word comes from the director of the Pentagon's operational
testing and evaluation unit, Thomas Christie in his annual weapons
systems report.
Both Lockheed and the Air Force have said over and over again
that the glitches are being fixed, according to Bloomberg News.
Christie seemed willing to agree. "A program for the correction
of deficiencies is being worked," he wrote.
So far, the USAF has put two C-130J aircraft into operation in
Iraq, out of the 59 ordered by the various services. The aircraft
"are performing extremely well," according to Lockheed spokesman
Peter Simmons.
More C-130Js are coming online. The USMC says it will make its
tanker versions of the aircraft operational next month.
The C-130J is a modification of the C-130H. The J modification
includes a two-crew member flight station, upgraded Allison AE
2100D3 engines, enhanced performance, and improved reliability and
maintainability. The C-130J/J-30 integrated digital technology has
the capability to airdrop in instrument conditions without zone
markers -- a baseline feature of the aircraft. When the high
resolution ground mapping capability of the APN-241 Low Power Color
Radar is coupled with the dual INS/GPS and digital mapping systems,
the C-130J/J-30 provides single-ship or formation all weather
aerial delivery.
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]
Aero Linx: Pararescue Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only DoD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spect>[...]