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Home Global Operations

Air Force Eyes Runway Independence Through Innovative Technology

Air Force Special Operations Command is researching technologies to convert the MC-130J airlifted into a float plane to gain runway independence and allow operations over water bodies.

  • Editor Staff
  • July 17, 2023
Airman 1st Class Christian Mejia, 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team member, Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, is responsible for guarding a disabled C-130 Hercules aircraft at Forward Operating Base Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan
(Photo by Master Sgt. Benjamin Bloker United States Air Forces Central)
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Air Force Special Operations Command is researching technologies to convert the MC-130J airlifted into a float plane to gain runway independence and allow operations over water bodies. The concept has been under investigation for over two years and has drawn interest from Japan’s ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft as a possible interim solution. In addition to this, the command is partnering with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-plane demonstration project, targeting high-speed and runway-independent air mobility platforms.
  

Key Points: 

  1. The Air Force Special Operations Command has been studying a concept for over two years to bolt pontoons onto an MC-130J airlifter and turn it into a float plane. This concept aims to make nearly three-quarters of the planet, essentially the water bodies, serve as runways.
  2. The command is considering the ShinMaywa US-2, a fixed-wing amphibious aircraft used by the Japan Self-Defense Force, as a potential interim solution. However, all acquisition strategies are still under consideration as they aim to attain runway independence and amphibious capability.
  3. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the command are working on the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-plane demonstration project to create an aircraft that demonstrates speed and runway independence for future air mobility platforms.
  4. AFSOC’s ultimate requirement in the new X-plane is high-speed, regardless of the exact speed. This will be a three-phase project, with the first phase seeking proposals.
  5. Despite the rise of “flying cars” or electric-hybrid, runway-independent vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, none have met the requirements for special operations missions. The command plans to begin a program with DARPA in 2024 to explore hybrid-electric aircraft, focusing on speed enhancement.

 

Source: https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/7/14/air-force-special-ops-wants-runway–independence-more-speed 

Editor Staff

Editor Staff

The Editor Staff at SOFX comprises a diverse, global team of dedicated staff writers and skilled freelancers. Together, they form the backbone of our reporting and content creation.

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