Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

Palfinger
  • News
  • Event News
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
    • WDS 2022
    • DSEI 2021
    • MADEX 2021
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»AFSOC moving forward on MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability
A rendering of an amphibious modification to an MC-130J Commando II is shown here that is used in the Digital Proving Grounds (Courtesy photo)

AFSOC moving forward on MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability

As national strategic objectives shift focus to littoral regions, the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is advancing new approaches to expand the C-130J's runway independence and expeditionary capacity.

Naval News Staff 21 Sep 2021

Story by Staff Sgt. Brandon Esau, AFSOC Public Affairs

In partnership with the Air Force Research Lab’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (AFRL-SDPE) directorate, AFSOC is developing an MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability (MAC) to improve the platform’s support of seaborne special operations. “The development of the MAC capability is the culmination of multiple lines of effort,” said Lt Col Josh Trantham, AFSOC Science, Systems, Technology, & Innovation (SST&I) Deputy Division Chief.

“This capability allows the Air Force to increase placement and access for infiltration, exfiltration, and personnel recovery, as well as providing enhanced logistical capabilities for future competition and conflict.“

Lt Col Josh Trantham, AFSOC Science, SST&I Deputy Division Chief

The development of a removable amphibious float modification for an MC-130J would enable “runway independent” operations, which, according to Trantham, would extend the global reach and survivability of the aircraft and Air Commandos. “Seaborne operations offer nearly unlimited water landing zones providing significant flexibility for the Joint Force,” Trantham said.

Utilizing the MAC capability may provide unlimited operational access to waterways to distribute forces if land assets are compromised. 

“MAC is vital to future success because it will allow for the dispersal of assets within a Joint Operations Area,” said Maj Kristen Cepak, AFSOC Technology Transition Branch Chief. “This diaspora complicates targeting of the aircraft by our adversaries and limits aircraft vulnerability at fixed locations.”

A task force of industry partners are closely collaborating with AFSOC and AFRL-SDPE to bring the vision to life. A five-phase rapid prototyping schedule will lead to an operational capability demonstration in only 17 months while de-risking the concept for a future potential MAC program of record that could field MAC for MC-130Js but also potentially field a similar amphibious capability for other C-130 variants with only minor variations.

A rendering of a twin float amphibious modification to an MC-130J Commando II is shown here. Air Force Special Operations Command and private sector counterparts are currently developing a Removable Amphibious Float Modification (RAFM) for the MC-130J, allowing aircraft to take off and land in bodies of water and conduct runway independent operations. (Courtesy photo)

AFSOC and private sector counterparts are currently testing MAC prototypes through digital design, virtual reality modeling (VR), and computer-aided designs (CAD) in a virtual setting known as the Digital Proving Ground (DPG), paving the way for digital simulation, testing, and the use of advanced manufacturing for rapid prototyping and physical prototype testing.

According to Trantham and Cepak, the DPG can deliver mission review, aircraft system analysis, design ideation, engineering risk-reduction, virtual reality, concept imagery, feasibility studies, and other deliverables.

“Being able to experiment with existing technology to evaluate design tradeoffs and test a new system before ever bending metal is a game-changer,” Cepak said. “AFSOC is evolving and experimenting in a smart way to reduce technical risk and deliver capability to the field more rapidly and efficiently than before.“

According to Trantham, while the MAC project demonstrates rapid capability development for AFSOC, the Air Force and the Total Force will also benefit.

“We believe MAC will be able to be used by our sister services, allies, and partners on various C-130 platforms,” he said. “Further, expanding the operational use of an amphibious aircraft alongside other innovative tools will provide even more complex dilemmas in future battlespaces for our strategic competitors.”

AFSOC Amphibious Warfare MC-130J 2021-09-21
Tags AFSOC Amphibious Warfare MC-130J
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Related Articles

USSOCOM’s Amphibious MC-130J Seaplane Concept Alive or Dead? DARPA’s WIG is Alive!

USSOCOM’s Amphibious MC-130J Seaplane Concept Alive or Dead? DARPA’s WIG is Alive!

Peter Ong 18 May 2022
In an unsettling time of disinformation and misinformation, tracking down the status of the “Hot ...
U.S. Army Japan’s LCU Vessel Masters Discuss U.S. Navy LAW

U.S. Army Japan’s LCU Vessel Masters Discuss U.S. Navy LAW

Peter Ong 23 Apr 2022
The U.S. Navy’s upcoming Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) is one of the top acquisition priorities for the U.S. Marine Corps in their strategy to counter China’s Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2AD)
Russia’s amphibious operation dilemma

Russia’s amphibious operation dilemma

Tayfun Ozberk 20 Mar 2022
The war between Russia and Ukraine is four weeks old. Speculation about possible landing operations has always existed, as Russia has reinforced its Black Sea Fleet with additional landing assets and the amphibious task force has been present in the Black Sea since the beginning of the war.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved