Griff13 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) The first pic is of the un-modified AC-130U http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/L...530934b1f954e54 Here is the modified one... it looks as if it is for aerodynamic reasons http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/L...530934b1f954e54 Anyone know the significance? Edited June 10, 2009 by Griff13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vesper Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Extra black boxes? Xbox? :) Ves B) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bobski Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Do you mean the aerials on the roof? They are also on the A-10C. I suspect they are part of a datalink system but I'm not sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Griff13 Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sorry... I forgot to mention that i was looking at the turret looking thingy (Exact terminology ;) ) by the nose. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Betting aerodynamics. The original AC-130s had the radome without the spats on the front. They experienced buffeting, when they added the spats, the buffeting disappeared. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
otis252 Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 That was strange. Tried to open the second link and got a endless line of windows opening saying Windows can not open this link. If I hadn't reset my 'puter, would have been 1000's of these windows. Probabably just me, but anybody else seen this before? Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C-130CrewChief Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 That is the FLIR ball mount. It looks new. It only took them 10 years to fix it...lol Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fred Garvin Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) Yeah Curt is spot on...simple aerodynamic fairing for the FLIR. Kinda ironic when you look at all the other crap hanging out the side of the thing spoiling aerodynamics. But then again it's a Herk (and I meant that in a good way). Funny that our HC-130s have the nose mounted FLIR (just aft of the radome). Wonder why the U-boats mounted them that way. The HC-130 mount gives us excellent coverage. Four fans of freedom baby! Edited June 11, 2009 by Fred Garvin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I thought the HC-130's were pretty much just dedicated tankers for SAR helos. Why would they need a FLIR at all? Now that they MH-53's are all gone, are they around just to support the HH-60's or do they also support Army special ops and the CV-22s? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Wonder why the U-boats mounted them that way. Better field of view while in a constant left hand orbit searching and shooting. ATIS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C-130CrewChief Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 The Hc-130's were made into MC-130Ps. We refuel any thing with a probe. We can also haul some trash. Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fred Garvin Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 The Hc-130's were made into MC-130Ps. We refuel any thing with a probe. We can also haul some trash. Curt Well.....kinda....AFSOCs HC-130s were renamed MC-130s. The P models are the oldest in the fleet as I'm sure Curt will attest to. Our oldest HC-130 (211 RQS) is a 1993 bird. We have 4 and they are HC-130N(H3)s. Rescue squadrons fly HCs and Special Ops fly MCs. The Talons can also hang the A/R pods and refuel Helos as well. AFSOC is also getting (and already has a few I think) MC-130Ws. 11bee, Actually yeah. Our HC-130s have supported (and still do) any rotoary winged airframe that has an A/R boom on it. They've done deployments to HOA supporting USMC CH-53E, and elsewhere suppporting 160th MH-47,MH-60. HC-130s can also do Infil/Exfil and resupply. CSAR/SAR wise they can employ Pararescue teams including HAHO, HALO, Static line, RAMZ (Rigging Alternate Method Zodiak), MA-1 kit drops, Flare support, electronic search, visual search, COmm platform and AMC duties. Also, HC-130s cannot A/R fast movers as we don't have the high speed drogues. Not sure if the MCs have them but I know the USMC KC-130s do. Here's an example of one mission: Situation...severely injured mariner on a USN Suply ship 650NM off the coast. HC-130 launches along with 2XHH-60G Pavehawks in pitch dark and high seas. HC-130 conducts 1st A/R with Pavehawks and then proceeds direct to USN ship. Upon arrival HC-130 conducts RAMZ drop with 3 member Pararescue (PJ) Team as well as flare drops. HC-130 provides overwatch until PJ team gets onboard ship. HC-130 returns to provide additional A/R support to HH-60Gs as well as comm relay from embarked PJ team to PJs onboard HH-60s and Hospital on shore. HH-60s arrive on scene and perform hoist recovery for injured mariner and PJ team. HC-130 provides A/R support on return flight on shore where HH-60 delivers patient to higher medical care hospital......One Save. Just one example, but wanted to illustrate that the HC-130 is more than a simple gas passer. It's a force multiplier. Don't want to hijack the thread though, back to the Spectre..... Salbando Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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