PAF To Receive Two C-130T

As US Approves $61 Million Sale

Specifications:

C-130T
Primary Function:

C-130T: Tactical passenger and cargo airlift 

Primary User: United States Navy
Date Deployed: 1991
Propulsion: Four Allison T-56-A-16 engines
Length: 97 feet 9 inches (29.3 meters)
Wingspan: 132 feet 7 inches (39.7 meters)
Height: (Tail height) 38 feet 3 inches (11.4 meters)
Weight: Max. gross, take-off: 175,000 pounds (79,380 kg)
Ceiling: 25,600 feet
Range: 2,350 nautical miles
Crew: Four
Prime Contractors: Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation Systems, Sargent Fletcher Inc.

29 July 2014

The Department of National Defense (DND) has confirmed that it will be receiving a pair of two C-130T Logistics Support Aircraft from the United States next year under its Foreign Military Sale programme.

The Lockheed Martin C-130T model was introduced in July 1991 and was meant for the United States Navy's Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons, which got total of 20 C-130T delivered in December 1996.

Secretary of Defense Voltaire Gazmin said these workhorse aircraft were offered by the United States after supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the Visayas late last year and the Philippines accepted their offer and desires to purchase these aircraft at the sum of $61 million dollars.

Gazmin said these two aircraft would be different from other C-130's as they would be fitted with surveillance system by Lockheed Martin and will be used primarily for maritime patrol, and anti-submarine warfare. These removable instruments adds flexibility to the aircraft when they will be made available for disaster relief.

The C-130 sale includes 10 Rolls Royce Allison T56-16 engines (8 installed and 2 spares), personnel training and training equipment, logistical support for a period of three years from delivery, modification equipment and labor costs, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, and aircraft ferry support among others.

Upon delivery next year, the Hercules will become the newest airframe in PAF service (frames between 5255-5430) being built in the 90's. There are currently 3 operating C-130's in the PAF inventory, comprising a single 60's era C-130B (3633) and 2 70's era C-130H models (4704,4726) model.

The Philippine government is also in the thick of discussion with the government of Australia for the acquisition of their five remaining C-130H (4782, 4784,4785,4787,4788) aircraft inventory delivered in 1978.

The Royal Australian Air Force had a fleet of 12 C-130H before they were retired in 2012. Four were sold to Indonesia, one aircraft went to Air Force Museum at RAAF Base Point Cook while another was kept at RAAF Base Richmond for training purposes and another as spare. They were replaced with the newer C-130J model.

The C-130 Hercules planes has been the main aircraft uses to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) in the aftermath of Typhoon's battering the country, most notably Yolanda (Haiyan).

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