The venerable C-130 transport (Hercules to UK residents) is getting an upgrade.
The Americans are looking to make the aircraft amphibious, by fitting floats to it. The idea of an amphibious C-130 was mooted way back in the 60's when the aircraft started service with Lockheed envisioning a proper amphibious version with a boat hull.
But the project which is expected to fly next year is a set of field-fit floats to allow the aircraft to land on water.
Now, what would the American armed forces want with an amphibious C-130?
Well, the aircraft is the preferred choice for special forces. Historically it's been used to great effect, apart from the disastrous incursion into Iran during the hostage crisis of the Carter presidency.
Special forces already use the Chinook and the Sea Stallion normally for Special Forces Amphibious incursions. But the problem is range: being helicopters they are limited range-wise and require a ship to operate from. In certain waters, a ship loitering about is a sitting target.
An amphibious C-130 would give similar amphibious capability but without the requirement to involve a ship to operate from. The C-130 can air refuel so it's range is almost limitless. Certainly longer than either of the aforementioned helicopters. Speed is also another factor, being faster than a helicopter and therefore able to cover those vast distances a heck of a lot quicker.
Vast distances? Well, really the only theatre an amphibious C-130 is designed for is the Pacific. Just like the flying boats of WW2, especially the Martin Mariner and huge Martin Mars. The C-130 would be able to deploy and recover special forces to anywhere in the Pacific within hours.
I'm thinking possibly a small island? One with a small number of soldiers guarding it? In the South China Sea? Somewhere that would normally threaten the sea lanes around it, ooh, I'm thinking in the vicinity of Taiwan, or the Philippines. The Spratly or the Paracel Islands?
A long-range amphibious transport capability would be an essential part of a Pacific campaign, especially the precursor to one, before the real shooting starts.
Actually a stealthy amphibious transport aircraft would really be of use in that theatre, now the artificial islands that China have created are starting to arm themselves with anti-ship missiles and air defences.
But maybe that's the point of an amphibious C-130.
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