Special C130Js deemed 'Mission Capable'

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BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Two special variants of the C-130J Lockheed Martin is producing for the U.S. Air Force have been certified as "Effective, Suitable and Mission Capable."

The certification of the HC-130J Combat King II and the MC-130J Commando II aircraft was issued last month following testing by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, the company announced.

"This further demonstrates the amazing flexibility of the C-130J," said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for C-130 Programs. "We took a KC-130J tanker and, through in-line production design changes and significant capability enhancements, produced the current HC and MC aircraft.

"The C 130J is without equal in terms of its multi-role, multi-mission flexibility and availability. No aircraft in production -- or in development -- can match the capabilities of the Super Hercules."

The HC-130J is the Air Force Air Combat Command's personnel recovery/combat search-and-rescue aircraft. The MC-130J is the Special Operations tanker aircraft for Air Force Special Operations Command.

Twenty-seven MC 130Js and 15 HC-130Js have been ordered by the service.