Mon, Apr 25, 2005
Look Out Below
C-130J Hercules are now dropping up to five large bundles of
supplies. A C130J successfully completed the first
five-bundle sequential low velocity airdrop at Edwards Air Force
Base last Tuesday. They landed about 1000 feet apart, and only five
yards away from the target.
The 418th Flight Test Squadron rigged and released the 40,100
pounds of cargo over a range area to test software upgrades and
systems. Before this test, the aircraft capability was limited to
four bundles, according to Tech. Sgt. Jason Kunkel, a 418th FTS
loadmaster, speaking to the AF news.
"Right now, we're doing everything we need to do before the
aircraft graduates to operational testing," he said. "By working
closely with the contractor, we were able to identify and fix
deficiencies to ensure the Air Force received a workable
system."
The software upgrades enhanced the cargo-handling,
communication, navigation and identification systems. Testers are
determining how the upgrades affect other systems.
One essential system for air drops is the Extraction Parachute
Jettison System. "The EPJS is a safety system that keeps the
loadmaster from having to go behind the load if it doesn't extract
from the aircraft," Sergeant Kunkel said. "If a load doesn't
extract, the largest parachutes can produce 50,000 pounds of drag
for the aircraft."
The system was successfully evaluated April 19th and worked
well. The C-130J increases cargo delivery, decreases aircrew needs,
and has an increased sortie reliability rate according to Sergeant
Kunkel.
The program is scheduled to move to Little Rock Air Force Base,
AR in October for operational test and evaluation.
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