After considerable problems and delays with the Airbus A400M France and Germany decided to set up a joint transport squadron with Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules planes, based in southern France. Some critics argue that the Hercules could have been procured instead of the A400M right away. On ILA 2018 Berlin Air Show Aviation Update spoke to Anthony (Toni) G. Frese. He is Vice President, Business Development Air Mobility & Maritime Missions. In the piece he shares his view on the C-130J, other programs and the Franco-German project.
AviationUpdate: What are you doing better with the C-130J Hercules, that Airbus is unable to do with the A400M?
Anthony G. Frese: I am not to familiar with the A400M and the other programs. That is why I will stick a little with the C-130J. It has been in production for over 20 years now. We delivered more than 400 aircraft for 17 different costumers. During that period of time these logged over seven million flight hours. Hence it is a very proven platform. After all, it has evolved for over 60 years by now. We are quite confident that our plane is able to lead the way and live up to the its legacy for years to come.
AU: How is the J-model comparing to its C-130 predecessors?
Frese: The J-moel is a significant improvement. The whole avionics are digital. Two mission computers and the 5053 data bus that speaks to all components of the aircraft make it a powerful tool. It automates navigation and engineering. This is why we could move to a two person flight deck crew. We redesigned the propulsion system. With the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 and the four six-blade propellers we gained 20% in fuel efficiency and 30% in operation support cost. This upgrade is about operation costs. It does as well a better job in any high and hot environment.
AU: What feedback do you have from deployment in combat?
Frese: We do not get all the feedback - depending on the costumer. But we know that it has an availability rate of roughly 90 per cent when deployed. This is outstanding.
AU: How is the joint German-French joint Air Transport program doing?
Frese: The French have already signed the contract to buy four C-130Js. We delivered the first one in December 2017 with the handover ceremony in January. This airplane is actually here on static display. The second aircraft is due for delivery in summer. Two more samples will be KC-130Js. That is the tactical air tanker version. Germany is as well very keen on buying both of these types. As we understand it, all of them will be based in France and jointly operated.
AU: About how many German aircraft are we talking here?
Frese: The German government is talking with their counterparts in the US in order to establish a foreign military sale case. They are busy with the paperwork since the official request has been established in November last year.
AU: What will be cost per unit, if the German side would go on a seize of four to six planes?
Frese: That has not been finalised yet. We are still in configuration details. Hence it is too early to tell. This is as well the case for avionics and radio configurations. Many things are still to be decided. However - the feedback we are getting from the French Armeé de l'Air is as well very positive, indeed. I talked to the crews yesterday. They are very happy with the C-130.
AU: When you look ahead - where the C-130J program will be 2025?
Frese: The C-130 keeps going. We see a giant international market for the airplane. Right now there are 450 aircraft placed on order. We have delivered over 400 already. There are over 700 legacy C-130 in service all over the world. Sone of them up to 40 years old. All of their operators are potential costumers for the C-130J. Most of them we see in the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries.
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AU/pvk
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| The first French C-130J on Static Display at ILA18 in Berlin. Pic: AU/pvk |
AviationUpdate: What are you doing better with the C-130J Hercules, that Airbus is unable to do with the A400M?
Anthony G. Frese: I am not to familiar with the A400M and the other programs. That is why I will stick a little with the C-130J. It has been in production for over 20 years now. We delivered more than 400 aircraft for 17 different costumers. During that period of time these logged over seven million flight hours. Hence it is a very proven platform. After all, it has evolved for over 60 years by now. We are quite confident that our plane is able to lead the way and live up to the its legacy for years to come.
 |
| Lame Bird? The Airbus A400M as well seen on ILA18. |
Frese: The J-moel is a significant improvement. The whole avionics are digital. Two mission computers and the 5053 data bus that speaks to all components of the aircraft make it a powerful tool. It automates navigation and engineering. This is why we could move to a two person flight deck crew. We redesigned the propulsion system. With the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 and the four six-blade propellers we gained 20% in fuel efficiency and 30% in operation support cost. This upgrade is about operation costs. It does as well a better job in any high and hot environment.
AU: What feedback do you have from deployment in combat?
Frese: We do not get all the feedback - depending on the costumer. But we know that it has an availability rate of roughly 90 per cent when deployed. This is outstanding.
AU: How is the joint German-French joint Air Transport program doing?
Frese: The French have already signed the contract to buy four C-130Js. We delivered the first one in December 2017 with the handover ceremony in January. This airplane is actually here on static display. The second aircraft is due for delivery in summer. Two more samples will be KC-130Js. That is the tactical air tanker version. Germany is as well very keen on buying both of these types. As we understand it, all of them will be based in France and jointly operated.
AU: About how many German aircraft are we talking here?
Frese: The German government is talking with their counterparts in the US in order to establish a foreign military sale case. They are busy with the paperwork since the official request has been established in November last year.
AU: What will be cost per unit, if the German side would go on a seize of four to six planes?
Frese: That has not been finalised yet. We are still in configuration details. Hence it is too early to tell. This is as well the case for avionics and radio configurations. Many things are still to be decided. However - the feedback we are getting from the French Armeé de l'Air is as well very positive, indeed. I talked to the crews yesterday. They are very happy with the C-130.
AU: When you look ahead - where the C-130J program will be 2025?
Frese: The C-130 keeps going. We see a giant international market for the airplane. Right now there are 450 aircraft placed on order. We have delivered over 400 already. There are over 700 legacy C-130 in service all over the world. Sone of them up to 40 years old. All of their operators are potential costumers for the C-130J. Most of them we see in the Middle East and Asia Pacific countries.
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AU/pvk
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