Air Mobility Plan, 2008 - The Black Vault

advanced infrared (IR) missile systems. The missile warning subsystem will use multiple sensors to
provide full spatial coverage. The countermeasures subsystem will use lasers mounted in pointer tracker
turret assemblies. Current plans include the modification of approximately 180 C-130 aircraft.
Airborne Network Integration
Refer to C-5 Roadmap for ANI description.
Mobility Air Forces Data Link Integration
Refer to C-5 Roadmap for MAF DLI description.
Center Wing Box Replacement
Due to unique mission requirements and the severity of their flight environment, we began replacing
the center wing boxes of special-purpose C-130s in the early to mid-1990s. The Warner Robins Air
Logistics Center establishes center wing replacement requirements for special- and general-purpose
C-130s, using a structural analysis model that predicts wing life based on usage severity factors and
equivalent baseline hours. The MC-130H fleet began to reach its center-wing service life in FY07.
Generalized cracking in the center wings of the combat delivery fleet has been discovered earlier than
originally forecast, resulting in the grounding of some aircraft and the imposition of varying levels of
flight restrictions on a number of aircraft.
Joint Precision Airdrop System - Mission Planning
JPADS-MP is a combat-delivery-enabling system designed to increase aircrew survivability while
significantly improving airdrop reliability and accuracy when airdropping payloads from high altitudes
and stand-off distances. The system will provide the means to meet the combatant commander’s
requirement of projecting and sustaining combat power using high-altitude, precision airdrop, as a
direct delivery method, into a dynamic, dispersed battlespace. Precision airdrop supports the full
spectrum of military operations from humanitarian relief/low-intensity conflict to major theater war.
Forcible entry operations, immediate emergency resupply, delivery of resupply and forward caches
to maneuvering ground forces, sustainment of small units operating in remote locations, resupply
of surrounded forces, and delivery of supplies and equipment near or within urban areas are a few
examples of supportable military operations. Accurate aerial delivery minimizes both the on-ground
logistic footprint and vehicle convoy vulnerability to enemy attack. The capability to conduct
unilateral, Joint, and other DOD combat, resupply, and humanitarian high-altitude airdrop operations
—with accuracy standards that meet Army requirements (150 meter accuracy)—will eliminate lost
or damaged resupply material and enhance survivability of AMC assets via high-altitude, standoff
distances from ground threats.
SAFIRE Look-out Capability
Current procedures require “look-outs” to stand at the troop doors and view out the porthole windows
to scan the ground and horizon for SAFIRE launches. Windows used for observation in C-130E and
H1-models are approximately nine inches in diameter; restrict the field of view to 110 degrees and the
window glass is typically scratched and scuffed to the point that viewing becomes difficult. SAFIRE
lookout capability will provide a panoramic view from horizon to at least 45 degrees below horizon
(90-degrees objective) between the 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock continuum behind the aircraft, and will
provide a personal restraint device certified for use from combat entry checklist through landing, and
from takeoff through completion of the combat exit checklist.
Loadmaster Crashworthy Seat
Unlike other AMC aircraft, USAF C-130 aircraft do not have a designated loadmaster seat in the
cargo compartment designed to withstand excessive impact or wheels-up landing forces. Yet while
carrying troops/passengers in the cargo compartment, the loadmaster is the crewmember responsible
for ensuring their safe and expeditious evacuation of the aircraft during emergency egress situations.
Study of past Class A mishaps reveal that those crewmembers seated in flight deck-designed seats
were able to escape fatal injury when compared to those crewmembers who sat in nylon web seats
with only a lap belt.
Joint Tactical Radio Systems
Refer to C-5 Roadmap for JTRS description.
C-130 Roadmap
C-130
Deficiencies/Solutions
MAF
Deficiencies/Solutions
Reference
Documents
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