September 29, 1997 - Officials at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division recently announced the latest variant of the C-130 Hercules - the C-130 Floatplane. Two years of feasibility studies focusing on drag, impact loads, spray patterns and stability completed by Lockheed Martin culminated in the design of a split-float design that eliminates inboard spray and reduces impact loads. The floats can be installed on C-130E/H/J models simply by replacing the existing landing gear, allowing open ocean, beaching and hard surface operations without the need for a dedicated seaplane model. The C-130 Floatplane's primary mission will be Special Forces transportation, with other possible applications to include ASW, mine laying and countermeasures, fire fighting, search and rescue, ship to shore resupply, and oil spill response. Payloads up to 27,000 pounds are possible, and a range of 2,200 nautical miles can be achieved with a 10,000 pound payload. For more information, contact John Eney (301/342-8297) or Bill Horn (301/342-8321) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Pictured: artist's impression of the C-130 Floatplane, courtesy of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
Es gab allerdings hier in homestead wirklich mal eine die so umgeruestetr war.Als test...soweit ich weis swar es eine aus CGAS Clearwater, FL
