Royal Norwegian Air Force Receives Upgraded Super Hercules

The cargo aircraft—one of RNoAF's four C-130J-30s to be retrofitted with the Block 8.1 software and hardware expansion upgrades—was ferried from Lockheed Martin's facility in Greenville, South Carolina, to Gardermoen Air Station, Norway (ENGM), where the service's fleet of Super Hercules aircraft are based.

Between 2008 and 2012, RNoAF received a fleet of five Super Hercules airlifters, but one was later lost in a crash.

According to Lockheed Martin, the upgraded version of the stretch variant of the C-130J, which boasts an additional 15 feet of cargo space, will increase RNoAF's interoperability in the Nordic region. The aircraft is capable of supporting personnel and equipment transport, cold weather operations, aeromedical airlift, and special operations.

The Block 8.1 upgrades include  a new flight management system that complies with CNS/ATM mandates and features vertical navigation with coupled auto throttle, civil GPS, ground power modes, updated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), CNS/ATM data link, and enhanced intercommunication, , approach, and landing systems.

“Norway’s C-130J-30 fleet is a national asset with tremendous regional reach and impact, supporting critical missions with NATO, European Union, and global Super Hercules partners,” said Danya Trent, vice president of international programs for the air mobility and maritime missions at Lockheed Martin. “As security demands increase, the Royal Norwegian Air Force C-130J-30 fleet must always be prepared to support any mission requirement. The Block 8.1 upgrade ensures Norway's Super Hercules fleet is mission-ready at any given time, delivering unprecedented reach, protection, and connection.”

More than 540 C-130J Super Hercules airlifters have been delivered to operators across 22 countries, Lockheed Martin said.