US approves sale of new C-130Js to Australia
3 November 2022
The US State Department has approved the sale of 24 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules medium air mobility transport aircraft to Australia.
The approval was published in a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification on 2 November and came just a day after the Commonwealth revealed it had selected the C-130J for its Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 requirement.
The DSCA notification estimates the sale of the 24 aircraft will be US$6.35bn (A$10bn), which is an eye-watering amount considering the RAAF is already an established operator of the aircraft. Included in the sale appears to be a highly-spec’d list of capabilities, including 60 GPS/INS navigations systems, a comprehensive self-defence package comprising AN/ALQ-251 Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems, AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM Infrared Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS), AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR), and AN/AAR 47 missile warning systems.
Also included is a sophisticated communications suite including Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), KYV-5M communication security modules, AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radios, AN/ARC-210 radios, AN/ARN-153 tactical airborne navigation (TACAN) systems, AN/ARN-147 receivers, AN/ARN-149(V) automatic direction finders, AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, and AN/KIV-77 IFF cryptographic appliques.
The sale also includes integrated L3Harris MX-20HD electro optical/infrared targeting systems, a capability the RAAF has been experimenting with in recent years by fitting its current C-130Js with Litening AT EO/IR pods formerly carried by F/A-18A/B classic Hornets.
But even with all of these add-ons plus the usual training, support, ground support equipment, and manuals etc, it is unlikely they add up to more than A$400 million per aircraft, so it would not be unreasonable to wonder if additional enhancements may also be included but are either yet to be defined or have been intentionally omitted from the notification.
The 1 November announcement by Defence was short on detail, only saying the C-130J was chosen after other transport aircraft were considered, including the Airbus A400M, the Embraer C-390, and the Kawasaki C-2.
“Defence has approached a number of aircraft manufacturers and received information on all available medium air mobility options,” the release reads. “The relative merits of each aircraft type have been assessed against Australia’s capability requirements.
“Defence seeks a low risk, certified in all roles, proven, mature and affordable replacement aircraft that meets Australia’s air mobility needs,” it added. “Project principles have incorporated lessons learned from previous major Defence acquisitions as well as the in-service experience with the current C‑130J fleet.
“Defence has identified that the new C-130J aircraft represents the only option that meets all of Australia’s capability requirements and assures Defence’s medium air mobility capability without introducing substantial cost, schedule and capability risk.”
Defence sources say the first 12 of the new aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in the 2027-28 timeframe which is likely to be towards the end of currently planned C-130J production. The same sources also indicated that previous plans for the possible acquisition of about six KC-130J tankers as part of the deal have been shelved.
Despite reports stating the new aircraft may also replace the RAAF’s C-27J Spartan Battlefield Airlifter fleet, it appears these aircraft may now be retained following a 27 October release stating they will receive a $70 million avionics upgrade. This may allow the aircraft to resume its planned Battlefield Airlifter role after being relegated to HADR and Pacific Partnership missions in 2021.
To be overseen by C-27J OEM Leonardo, the work will see the aircraft’s cryptographic radio upgraded, and is scheduled to be undertaken by capability steward Northrop Grumman and 35SQN personnel during planned maintenance periods from 2023 to 2026.
“Operated by No 35 Squadron, the C-27J Spartan fleet provides essential transportation and aerial delivery of passengers, troops and cargo, support to search and rescue missions, and aeromedical evacuation in our region,” Head of Aerospace Systems Division, AVM Leon Phillips said in a statement. “Upgrading the function of the C-27J platform will ensure ongoing availability of secure communications, including interoperability with key strategic partners and intelligence networks, and increased overall safety for our Australian Defence Force personnel.”
A final decision on the final number of C-130Js and their acquisition profile is expected to be made as part of the wide-ranging Defence Strategic Review which is due to report in early 2023.
Source: APDR