RAAF Tests New External Tanks for C-130J Hercules

21 November 2018

External fuel tank for C-130J (photos : RAAF)

New tanks add to C-130J Hercules' fuel capacity

External fuel tanks will be installed on a pair of Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, boosting the Air Mobility Group workhorse’s ability to perform a range of missions.

The first aircraft to receive these tanks – serial A97-440 – was handed over to No. 37 Squadron (37SQN) at RAAF Base Richmond in November, after routine scheduled maintenance from Airbus Group Australia Pacific.

The fuel tanks increase the fuel capacity of a Hercules from 19 tonnes to 27 tonnes.

Air Commodore William Kourelakos, Commander Air Mobility Group, said the utility of these fuel tanks would be explored in a variety of missions.

“Extra fuel is useful during Forward Arming and Refuelling Point operations, where the crew land and offload fuel to another aircraft, vehicle or storage tank,” Air Commodore Kourelakos said.

“The fuel tanks can also extend range or endurance during certain missions, allowing us to be more persistent in an area such as during Search and Rescue missions.

“Carrying that extra fuel brings weight and drag considerations, so fitting these two aircraft will determine how these tanks might benefit our future airlift operations.”

Previous models of the Hercules were equipped with external fuel tanks but the tanks fitted to these two aircraft have been newly constructed.

The C-130J was introduced to RAAF service in 1999 without external fuel tanks due to its engines being more efficient and powerful than those that powered earlier generations of Hercules.

The utility of these fuel tanks will be explored this December, with A97-440 expected to support Operation Christmas Drop in Guam.

Hosted by the United States Pacific Air Forces, Operation Christmas Drop involves the delivery of donated gifts including food, clothing and toys to remote island communities in the West Pacific.

“Some of these missions are to islands more than 2000km from Guam, where there’s very limited options to divert in the event of an emergency,” Air Commodore Kourelakos said.

“Carrying that extra fuel would make some aspects of mission planning easier, allow crews to deliver to more island communities, or increase the amount of time loitering at a Drop Zone.”

(RAAF)