The "Shimshon" (C-130j Super Hercules) in the U.S for Special Installations

[DavidSling]

Last week, the first Israeli "Shimshon" (C-130j Super Hercules) flew to the "Lockheed Martin" factory in Greenville, USA, for installation of special systems. The next aircraft which will land this year will absorbed by the "Elephants" Squadron with the systems installed ahead of time
Talya Yariv | Translation: Ohad Zeltzer Zubida

Last week, the first "Shimshom" received by the "Elephants" Squadron landed in the "Lockheed Martin" factory in Greenville, South Carolina, USA for installation of special systems. The aircraft will stay in the factory for four months, which will be followed by the arrival of the second "Shimshon" for the installation of the same systems. The third aircraft, which arrived to Israel in August 2015 and those yet to come, will arrive with all of the required operational installations.

"The installations combine advanced Israeli systems which will be installed on the first two aircraft and will significantly improve its qualifications for the missions it is designated to execute", explained Lt. Col. Yoav, the "Elephants" Squadron Commander.

Archive Photo

"Crossing the Atlantic with a 'Shimshon' makes things simple"

Flying to the U.S in the winter is a challenging task for any aircraft - therefore the first "Shimshon" aircrew was required to deal with phenomena which do not appear when flying in Israeli airspace. "The transportation of the aircraft from Israel to the U.S took two days, in which we made stops in France and Canada for rest and refueling", shares Lt. Col. Yoav. "The flight included bad weather which included icing, strong wings and low clouds which we usually don't experience in Israel. Despite all of these, it was a very smooth flight with close to no malfunctions. The aircraft is built to deal with bad weather and has automatic anti-icing and forecasting systems. Crossing the Atlantic with a 'Shimshon' makes things simpler and more comfortable, the aircrew is a reduced one and the aircraft's automation supports the flight".

Archive Photo

A Year of Meaningful WorkThe "Elephants" Squadron faces a year of meaningful work in which the squadron will undergo special qualifications inspection and absorb additional "Shimshons". "By the end of the year the number of aircraft in the squadron will multiply", says Lt. Col. Yoav. "We will open another aircraft 'line', increase the number of crews, qualify more servicemen/women in the technical division and enter a regular squadron's operational routine".

The Israeli Air Force : The "Shimshon" in the U.S for Special Installation

@500 @PARIKRAMA @Blue Marlin @mike2000 is back @Adir-M @sarjenprabhu

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Last week, the first Israeli "Shimshon" (C-130j Super Hercules) flew to the "Lockheed Martin" factory in Greenville, USA, for installation of special systems. The next aircraft which will land this year will absorbed by the "Elephants" Squadron with the systems installed ahead of time
Talya Yariv | Translation: Ohad Zeltzer Zubida

Last week, the first "Shimshom" received by the "Elephants" Squadron landed in the "Lockheed Martin" factory in Greenville, South Carolina, USA for installation of special systems. The aircraft will stay in the factory for four months, which will be followed by the arrival of the second "Shimshon" for the installation of the same systems. The third aircraft, which arrived to Israel in August 2015 and those yet to come, will arrive with all of the required operational installations.

"The installations combine advanced Israeli systems which will be installed on the first two aircraft and will significantly improve its qualifications for the missions it is designated to execute", explained Lt. Col. Yoav, the "Elephants" Squadron Commander.

Archive Photo

"Crossing the Atlantic with a 'Shimshon' makes things simple"

Flying to the U.S in the winter is a challenging task for any aircraft - therefore the first "Shimshon" aircrew was required to deal with phenomena which do not appear when flying in Israeli airspace. "The transportation of the aircraft from Israel to the U.S took two days, in which we made stops in France and Canada for rest and refueling", shares Lt. Col. Yoav. "The flight included bad weather which included icing, strong wings and low clouds which we usually don't experience in Israel. Despite all of these, it was a very smooth flight with close to no malfunctions. The aircraft is built to deal with bad weather and has automatic anti-icing and forecasting systems. Crossing the Atlantic with a 'Shimshon' makes things simpler and more comfortable, the aircrew is a reduced one and the aircraft's automation supports the flight".

Archive Photo

A Year of Meaningful WorkThe "Elephants" Squadron faces a year of meaningful work in which the squadron will undergo special qualifications inspection and absorb additional "Shimshons". "By the end of the year the number of aircraft in the squadron will multiply", says Lt. Col. Yoav. "We will open another aircraft 'line', increase the number of crews, qualify more servicemen/women in the technical division and enter a regular squadron's operational routine".

The Israeli Air Force : The "Shimshon" in the U.S for Special Installation

@500 @PARIKRAMA @Blue Marlin @mike2000 is back @Adir-M @sarjenprabhu

Excellent news again.. C130s are a beauty.. Love them for the amount of work they can do..
BTW why 4 months? What systems are proposed to be installed? You changing it to Gunships or what?
Bcz i thought most systems of C130s are more of plug and play unless its a much deeper upgrade with some new sensitive sensors or communication systems..

By any chance you are having any infor on that..

I hope we order some more C130s preferably C130XJ.. AS our MTA project is gone kaput we need replacement of almost 100 odd An32s.. Hopefully with 70-75 C130 XJ and a local production line under Make In India we can also become large operators.. They can land on ALGs easily in rugged terrains... its a massive plus point..