Re: Sobre o C-390
Enviado: Sáb Ago 07, 2010 6:29 pm
Olha a LM fazendo Lobby num declarado interessado do KC-390.
US group Lockheed Martin proposes its C-130J transport aircraft to SA
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By: Keith Campbell
5th August 2010
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US aerospace, defence and electronics group Lockheed Martin has confirmed that it is proposing to the South African Air Force (SAAF) that it replace its current C-130BZ Hercules transport aircraft (which are some 45 years old) with the externally similar but internally almost totally new C-130J Hercules II.
The company is also proposing the C-130J for the SAAF’s air-to-air refuelling (AAR) tanker and maritime surveillance aircraft requirements.
Lockheed Martin Vice-President: Business Development Initiatives: Europe, Middle East and Africa, Dennys Plessas, told journalists in Pretoria on Thursday that his company had been briefing the SAAF about the C-130J for a year or so, but stressed that these had not been negotiations.
“South Africa already has 50% of the infrastructure needed for the C-130J,” he highlighted.
He pointed out that the Hercules II could carry the vast majority of payloads required by the South African National Defence Force, leaving only the two extremes – light payloads for which it would be more cost-effective to use small transport aircraft; and very heavy and outsize loads requiring a larger aeroplane than the C-130J, such as the A400M.
“South Africa has been talking about a three-tier [transport] aircraft structure,” he noted.
He assured that Lockheed Martin could develop acquisition or leasing options that would meet South Africa’s financial constraints. “In our company, affordability and product excellence are the most important things in everything we do,” stated Plessas.
In comparison to both first and second generation Hercules (C-130A to C-130H models), the re-engineered third-generation C-130J has new propulsion systems (engines and control software), modern digital avionics systems, and a modern enhanced cargo handling system (making it easier to load, unload and paradrop cargo).
There are basic and stretched (C-130J-30) versions of the Hercules II, as well as an AAR tanker (KC-130J) and maritime surveillance (HC-130J) versions, among others. The KC-130J is in service with the US Marine Corps and the HC-130J with the US Coast Guard. Both types can also carry cargo, if required.
To date, 200 C-130Js, of various models, have been built, and production is now running at 27 a year, to be ramped up to 36 annually.
The SAAF originally intended to acquire eight Airbus Military A400M aeroplanes to act both as strategic transports and AAR tankers. But late last year this order was cancelled, leaving the SAAF to consider alternatives to the original deal.
“We are not here because South Africa cancelled the A400M,” asserted Plessas. “We are here because of the need of South Africa to replace the C-130BZ.”
Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter