Lockheed Martin detailed the Maritime Patrol/Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) configuration of the venerable C-130 Hercules military transport at the 2019 Paris Air Show.
Dubbed the Sea Hercules, the SC-130J will replace the P-3C Orion ASW aircraft in Lockheed’s line up.
Onboard sensors include the belly mounted Multi-Mode search radar, Electro-optical/ Infrared (EO/IR) sensors and an optional MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) at the tail to detect submarines.
Weapons include ramp launched torpedo systems, under wing pylon mounted Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Hellfire air to air missiles.
Dubbed the Sea Hercules, the SC-130J will replace the P-3C Orion ASW aircraft in Lockheed’s line up.
Onboard sensors include the belly mounted Multi-Mode search radar, Electro-optical/ Infrared (EO/IR) sensors and an optional MAD (magnetic anomaly detector) at the tail to detect submarines.
Weapons include ramp launched torpedo systems, under wing pylon mounted Harpoon anti-ship missiles and Hellfire air to air missiles.
Sonobuoys can also deployed from the launcher pallet in the belly.
The aircraft will have 10 plus hour endurance and a range of around 1000 miles.
Lockheed Martin has developed an acoustic sound proofing to reduce the sound level inside the aircraft from the turboprop engines to facilitate ASW operations.
Unlike its jet powered Boeing P-8 Poseidon competitor, the SC-130J can fly at slower speed and can operate from austere unprepared runways.
