The idea of an "amphibious" C-130 Hercules dating back to the1960s was not completely abandoned, Laurent Lagneau reports in Opex360, Lockheed-Martin having considered equipping the aircraft with floats. Still unsuccessful, although the US Coast Guard might have been interested. Eventually, as needs have since evolved, such a concept may well materialize, with the US Special Operations Command [USSOCOM] now deeming it relevant to the operations they expect to conduct in the years to come.
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| Artist rendering of a Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II fitted with floats. However, as the aircraft would have to be able to operate from water as well as from the hard ground, the shape of the floats as drawn here appears bearly compatible with retractable wheels, a common design on dual-use floatplanes (Picture source: USSOCOM) |
