US Approves $650 Million C-130J Super Hercules Sale To France

[Zarvan]

Lockheed Martin C-130J transport aircraft

The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) has approved a $650 million sale of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft to France.

The sale includes associated equipment, parts and logistical support, DSCA said in a statement Tuesday.

The DSCA noted the proposed sale will strengthen the French Air Force’s capabilities and will increase its interoperability with the US Air Force.

The aircraft will also provide, the release added, crucial air refueling capability to France's fighter aircraft, light transport aircraft as well as to helicopters.

US Approves $650 Million C-130J Super Hercules Sale To France

 

[Beast]

Are French mad to buy C-130J since they have A400M?

 

[Penguin]

Are French mad to buy C-130J since they have A400M?

May 21, 2015
French to Fund Four Hercules Planes Following Airbus A400M Delay

The French Air Force will buy four Lockheed Martin Corp. C-130 Hercules transport planes as it seeks to cope with the late delivery of Airbus Group NV A400M aircraft like the one that crashed in Spain earlier this month.

Even prior to the crash the slippage in A400M delivery dates had left France, which placed the biggest order for the Airbus model, seeking an interim solution involving the C-130,

While armed forces across Europe have suspended flights with A400Ms that have already been delivered, France has kept some of the planes active as it needs transport capabilities for military operations in Africa

French to Fund Four Hercules Planes Following Airbus A400M Delay - Bloomberg Business

Airbus resumes A400M customer deliveries

22 June 2015

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has resumed deliveries of the A400M Atlas airlifter following the lifting of a grounding order that had been in place since the fatal crash of aircraft MSN023 in May.

The first production-standard aircraft to leave the Seville final assembly line (FAL), since the grounding was enacted by the Spanish authorities on 9 May, was delivered to the French Air Force on the same day that the suspension of flight was lifted on 19 June. This aircraft, MSN019, is the seventh to be delivered to France and the 13th to be delivered in all.

The Spanish authorities that are leading the investigation into the fatal crash of MSN023 have yet to officially comment, but Airbus DS has issued two notices to operators based on its own analysis. These notices are related to the A400M's four EuroProp International TP400-D6 engines, three of which malfunctioned on the ill-fated flight that claimed the lives of four of the six crew members.

Airbus resumes A400M customer deliveries - IHS Jane's 360

WASHINGTON, Nov 10, 2015

The Government of France has requested a possible sale of:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two (2) C-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines
Two (2) KC-130J aircraft with Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines
Four (4) Rolls Royce AE-2100D Turboprop Engines (spares)

Non-Major Defense Equipment (Non-MDE):
Six (6) AN/ALE 47 Electronic Countermeasure Dispensers (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Six (6) AN/AAR-47A(V)2 Missile Warning Systems (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Six (6) AN/ALR-56M Radar Warning Receivers (1 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Ten (10) Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation Systems (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Ten (10) AN/ARC-210 Radios (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Ten (10) AN/ARC-164 UHF/VF Radios (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Two (2) HF Voice Radios
Ten (10) KY-100 Secure Voice Terminals (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Ten (10) KYV-5 Secure Voice Equipment Units (2 per aircraft, plus 2 spares)
Also provided are support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated MDE value is $355 million. The total overall estimated value is $650 million.

France –C-130J Aircraft | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

 

[Taygibay]

To complement Penguin's answer :

The A400M, like all modern programs it seems, is not ramping up to full operational status as fast as promised.
Of the higher capacities, many were French demands including Helos refueling.
Due to the wing creating a downwash of might, our Caracals are unstable behind it.
And Airbus being behind schedule on many major points is in no hurry to fix that.

Since on the other hand, our Special Forces already use Hercs and like them fine,
this buy is both a stop gap measure, a logical one, and a wake-up call to EADS & co.

Other unfixed bugs like side doors parachute straps too short are also to be corrected
by the way and the lagging deliveries don't help. Most of these high functions ( save
the tactical low-flight ingress auto-pilot system ) are important or essential to the AdlA.
And let's face it, we're the ones using paratroopers and such in real war operations.

So the C-130J is a complement to our dozen planes of that family already serving SFs.

Good day, Tay.

 

[Abingdonboy]

To complement Penguin's answer :

The A400M, like all modern programs it seems, is not ramping up to full operational status as fast as promised.
Of the higher capacities, many were French demands including Helos refueling.
Due to the wing creating a downwash of might, our Caracals are unstable behind it.
And Airbus being behind schedule on many major points is in no hurry to fix that.

Since on the other hand, our Special Forces already use Hercs and like them fine,
this buy is both a stop gap measure, a logical one, and a wake-up call to EADS & co.

Other unfixed bugs like side doors parachute straps too short are also to be corrected
by the way and the lagging deliveries don't help. Most of these high functions ( save
the tactical low-flight ingress auto-pilot system ) are important or essential to the AdlA.
And let's face it, we're the ones using paratroopers and such in real war operations.

So the C-130J is a complement to our dozen planes of that family already serving SFs.

Good day, Tay.

Impressive pragmatism on display by the French MoD- many nations/politicians would stubbornly cling to "domestic" programs even at the cost of military preparedness (the examples are all too numerous- F-35, Typhoon, K-X etc etc). It is refreshing to see a move where present day/immediate military requirements have trumped political compulsions (jobs, prestige etc)- kudos to the French government, they deserve the solid military they possess, it is clearly the result of this kind of rational thinking.

 

[MICA]

i was about to ask why not going for the A400M but tay answered my question already

 

[Penguin]

i was about to ask why not going for the A400M but tay answered my question already

Thanks for you acknowledgement.

 

[Eagle-6]

https://www.*********************.com/forums/attachments/img_0041-jpg.156/

 

[silent hawk]

No aircraft like C-130

 

[Taygibay]

It is refreshing to see a move where present day/immediate military requirements have trumped political compulsions (jobs, prestige etc)

Agreed and as you said our guys ( soldiers ) earned that.
Now if it could be made a habit instead of a rare nicety …

Good day gang' Tay.

 

[Vergennes]

Agreed and as you said our guys ( soldiers ) earned that.
Now if it could be made a habit instead of a rare nicety …

Good day gang' Tay.

French to Fund Four Hercules Planes Following Airbus A400M Delay - Bloomberg Business


Airbus resumes A400M customer deliveries - IHS Jane's 360


France –C-130J Aircraft | The Official Home of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency

Lockheed Martin C-130J transport aircraft

The US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) has approved a $650 million sale of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft to France.

The sale includes associated equipment, parts and logistical support, DSCA said in a statement Tuesday.

The DSCA noted the proposed sale will strengthen the French Air Force’s capabilities and will increase its interoperability with the US Air Force.

The aircraft will also provide, the release added, crucial air refueling capability to France's fighter aircraft, light transport aircraft as well as to helicopters.

US Approves $650 Million C-130J Super Hercules Sale To France

The project of buying 4 new C130J has been finally approved !

2 C130Js + 2 KC130Js.

A good christmas gift for the AF.

La France va commander 4 C-130J - Air&Cosmos

The aircrafts that we will receive will be taken from the USAF on the production line. (Because we need them as soon as possible. )
-
Were considered second-hand C130H and even old Israelis C130E. (Then """""upgraded""""" to the H.)
Glad that the aircrafts will be finally new !.

 

[flamer84]

A victim of the A400 delays and European cooperation clusterf..,erhhh programs.

Germany has now taken the lead on the new Euro UAV program.That will be hilarious when it will come 10 years later and with a 200% increase in costs because they will have to,ofcourse,certify it not to collide with the African geese migration or something like that.

 

[Vergennes]

A victim of the A400 delays and European cooperation clusterf..,erhhh programs.

Germany has now taken the lead on the new Euro UAV program.That will be hilarious when it will come 10 years later and with a 200% increase in costs because they will have to,ofcourse,certify it not to collide with the African geese migration or something like that.

It reminds me that story of the PUMA IFVs and pregnant women.

 

[flamer84]

It reminds me that history of the PUMA IFVs and pregnant women.

Yeah,that's the one i had in mind to when i wrote above.That one was hilarious,altough quite tragic for a professional military..."We can't certify the IFV until it can carry pregnant women".I guess the future Leopard 3 will have to do the dishes to

...well,enjoy it,Nexter is in bed with these fellows now.

 

[Blue Marlin]

i thought they were looking at getting 10 raf c130-j's from the raf as an alternative.