Dominant Logistics
Redefining the Hercules
With the current state of logistics, the C-130 will continue to provide the bulk of tactical airlift for U.S. forces. In the future, this role should be transitioned from one of tactical airlift to one of tactical aerial support operations. We need our tactical logistics to have greater VTOL and ESTOL capability which requires us to transition to systems like the proposed tilt-wing Joint Transport Rotorcraft and the CH-53X autogyro. But many C-130s are quite young and have substantial life remaining in their airframes.
At the same time, there are many critical functions in which the U.S. military is currently lacking. Most of these functions could be filled quite well by adapting these C-130s to the roles. Today, we already have an excessive number of C-130s in the fleet so the transition to a supporting role could begin immediately without any sacrifice in tactical airlift capabilities.
Sonic Warfare
One of the most needed capabilities is in an area I call Sonic Warfare. The concept of Sonic Warfare is you use a high-powered audio system to broadcast signals for different effects. A common use of sonic warfare today is in psychological operations where we broadcast different statements over loudspeakers trying to convince opposing forces to surrender.
Taking this concept to the next level, we can use these assets to broadcast other signals at very high volumes. For example, we could broadcast the sounds that are consistent with a helicopter traveling or landing. Broadcasting this sound will force the enemy to take action to address the potential "threat" that, in fact, doesn't exist. This approach would be akin to a sonic decoy. Moving up, we can also use this same concept to broadcast the noises of jet aircraft to simulate attacking fast-movers.
At the highest level of functionality in this concept is the theory of noise cancellation. Every noise has an equal and opposite noise that completely cancels it to make the original noise inaudible. Years ago, this technology was used in speakers from Polk Audio as a method of providing pure stereo sound. It was also used at an experimental level in a muffler system for cars. In theory, this technique could be used to mask the sonic signatures of all types of aircraft engaged in military actions.
Another potential role for this system is as a jammer for a new type air defense system. In an effort to locate stealth aircraft, some new air defense systems are incorporating the ability to track disruptions in air caused by moving aircraft. High powered computers are used to measure disruptions in radio signals that travel through the air to determine if aircraft are operating in the area. But because sound itself is movement of air, we could use this system to effectively jam these newer air defense systems by initiating massive air disruptions.
Electronic Warfare
One of the biggest problems facing US forces abroad today is the lack of sufficient Electronic Warfare systems, particularly airborne jamming equipment. The C-130 is large enough that it should be possible with modern systems to combine the roles of signal and radar jamming and monitoring into a single airframe. Long-range strike packages need support aircraft that can accompany them throughout the mission. It makes no sense to base future jamming capabilities on the short-range F-18 when the systems requiring the support are the very long range C-17, C-5, B-52 and B-1.
The C-130 is the ideal platform to develop a full spectrum, tactical electronic warfare platform. It has more than ample capacity for the hardware and it also has outboard hardpoints for some of the larger jamming systems. Newer C-130s are capable of aerial refueling while older models can easily be converted.
Naval Support
Some have suggested fielding a C-130 that would function as a dedicated sea plane. In this design, the wing would be raised, the engines would be relocated to above the wing, and the airframe would incorporate a hull for operating in water. Retractable pontoons could be incorporated into the wing tips for greater stability in the water.
Over the long term, this role will be filled by the CH-53X but this design isn't even on a drawing board yet. In the interim, and even over the long term, it would be beneficial to field a small fleet of C-130 sea planes. These aircraft would be able to land and take-off from the water and depending on cargo, may even be able to deploy amphibious vehicles while floating. This would also make for an exceptional long-range sea rescue platform.
Over the long-term, these aircraft would be excellent for supporting ASW missions. Currently, we rely on P-3 aircraft to support ASW operations but these must be forward based to a nearby region to be of any use. A sea-based platform like the amphibious C-130 could travel along with the naval force to provide long-duration ASW support. While helicopters are good in this role, they are limited in the amount of area that they can cover. With the current trends in worldwide submarine purchases, it is critical that we fully address this area with an amphibious C-130.
Modern AC-130 Attack Bomber
In Special Operations, it is common to use the AC-130 as an airborne artillery platform in support of forces on the ground. Unfortunately, this practice has been limited to Special Operations only and a significant fleet of these aircraft was never built. With today's greater emphasis on low-intensity operations, we need airborne fire support options to minimize our footprint on the ground and maximize our speed and flexibility. A significantly larger and more versatile fleet of these aircraft should be fielded.
A modern AC-130 would retain the current model's batteries of 30mm and 40mm cannons but the 105mm cannon should be removed in favor of a palletized system. The pallet system would incorporate a variety of weapon systems that could quickly and easily be incorporated in the AC-130. For example, newer technologies in laser and microwave weapons are now coming online but we have very limited ability to rapidly incorporate these systems. With a pallet system, it would require nothing more than building a pallet from which the new weapon would operate and swapping it into an existing aircraft. Ideally, the option should be included to have floor doors so that bomb pallets could also be used. Pallets could include:
With this approach, the aircraft would use side doors in the airframe to allow for removing and installing pallets very rapidly. This would also allow for weapons to be placed on either or both sides of the aircraft. This would also allow for the retention of the ability to use the very large 10,000lb bomb (the Daisy Cutter).