C-130J-30 In Flight

Flown by the 815th Airlift Squadron, the C-130J-30 is a combat-proven intratheater airlifter admired by commanders for its ability to carry larger loads farther, higher and faster. The stretched version of the C-130-J can carry 128 combat troops instead of a standard C-130J's 92, and 92 paratroops instead of 64. It can carry eight standard 463L pallets rather than six, 97 medical litters instead of 74, and 24 CDS (container delivery system) bundles instead of 16. The stretched C-130J is capable of un-refueled flights of 4,000 miles. A close formation of 31 of these extended C-130Js can drop 2,800 troops-an entire Army brigade-in less than five minutes. The stretched C-130Js are the first to be equipped with a computer-controlled Enhanced Cargo Handling System allowing "precise airdrop event sequencing and quick conversion from cargo floor tie-downs to rollers for palletized cargo."