The first of five Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s ordered for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has conducted its first test flight, and the aircraft is being prepared for delivery in 2023. Global open-source intelligence company Janes reported the first aircraft (serial number A-1339) is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2023. The remaining four aircraft will be delivered through 2024, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said. The company added that the first aircraft conducted its maiden test flight on 27 October. The existence of the contract was disclosed by Lockheed Martin in September 2021. The first aircraft are being sold to Indonesia as part of a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS).
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. Externally similar to the classic Hercules in general appearance, the J-model features considerably updated technology.
The Indonesian Air Force had 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 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. 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. 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.
