The Indonesian Air Force has confirmed plans to buy additional Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft. During his visit to Lockheed Martin’s C-130J production site in Marietta, US state of Georgia, the Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo was photographed next to a C-130J-30 (construction number 382-5951) cockpit section bearing the Indonesian flag an indication that production of at least one aircraft is ongoing. Indonesia’s state-owned news agency Antara reported that minister of defence Ryamizard Ryacudu said Indonesia is looking to acquire 5 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
The Indonesian Air Force still operates a C-130B and KC-130B fleet that was procured second-hand in the early sixties. The C-130B’s were reinforced with second-hand L-100s and C-130Hs in the eighties. The Indonesian Air Force Hercules aircraft are operated by Air Squadron 17 and Air Squadron 31, both part of Air Wing 1, at Jakarta/Halim Perdana Kusuma, Air Squadron 33 (Wing Udara 5) at Ujung Pandang/Hasanuddin and Air Squadron 32 (Air Wing 2) at Malang/Abdul Rahman Saleh. The whole, some twenty Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, is aging and must be replace soon.
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The cargo compartment is approximately 41 feet (12.5 m) long, 9 feet (2.74 m) high, and 10 feet (3.05 m) wide, and loading is from the rear of the fuselage. The C-130J is the newest version of the C-130 Hercules and the only model in production. As of February 2018, 400 C-130J aircraft had been delivered to 17 nations. By July 2021, 450 had been delivered with 26 operators in 22 countries.
Externally similar to the classic Hercules in general appearance, the J-model features considerably updated technology. These differences include new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprop engines with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including head-up displays (HUDs) for each pilot), and reduced crew requirements. These changes have improved performance over its C-130E/H predecessors, such as 40% greater range, 21% higher maximum speed, and 41% shorter takeoff distance. The J-model is available in a standard-length or stretched -30 variant.
