fundation reading program vs paf reading

Why Need for an Air Refueling Tanker Capability? This is the same unit used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps on their KC-130s. The KC-130's fuselage fuel tank, which can easily be carried or removed from the aircraft's cargo space to convert the C-130 from a tanker to a standard transport aircraft. The underwing refueling pod can remain even when doing transport duties. This is possible by removing the fuel tank system in the cargo hold, in which the KC-130 can easily be converted from a tanker aircraft to a standard transport aircraft, with almost the same load and space capacity as a regular C-130 Hercules. Having them retained, which is very much possible, means that the PAF will be having an added capability of aerial refueling, a first in its history.īeing a multi-purpose transport aircraft, it will retain its cargo-carrying capability for other purposes, including Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The PAF may opt to have the aerial refueling system retained when they acquire the USMC C-130T. With the aircraft already made to be capable of such, any future decision by the PAF to return the aircraft to tanker-capable status is very much possible and easy, as compared to other C-130 aircraft without this current capability.Ī KC-130 probe and drogue underwing refueling pod.

But not having the aerial refueling system does not mean the PAF cannot have them in the future. The KC-130Ts (or we can currently call C-130T until further notice) might be aerial refueling-capable aircraft, but it is still unknown and unconfirmed if the deal to acquire them include having the refueling system intact and usable upon the aircraft's hand-over to the PAF. BUT it doesn't necessarily mean the PAF is acquiring tanker aircraft. So it means the Philippine Air Force is acquiring an aerial refueling capable aircraft. KC-130T '022' with the wing-mounted aerial refueling system on the far end of the wings.įor the uninitiated readers, the 'K' in the KC-130T designation means it is a tanker-capable aircraft in US military parlance. (More of these can be found in open sources for further information.) But this system is different from those used by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighters, which uses the Flying Boom system. This is the same system used by the Saab's JAS-39 Gripen. Open sources like indicated that the 163022 was built in 1984, and was modified to be able to carry the probe-and-drogue refueling system which is currently used by the US Marines aviation assets like the F/A-18C/D Hornet and AV-8B Harrier as well as CH-53 Super Stallion large helicopter series. These KC-130T are actually former C-130H aircraft converted to be aerial refueling-capable in support of US Marines air operations.

Note the analog cockpit on the aircraft, whereas the expected US Navy aircraft were already modified to use glass cockpit types. More photos from the inspection of aircraft no. Too bad that the photos provided by the US Embassy in the Philippines did not show the wing portion to confirm if the underwing refueling pod are still there. A second photo from the press release also showed the interior of one of the aircraft being inspected, and it does not have the updated glass cockpit done on the US Navy C-130T aircraft. It is also assumed that the second aircraft may also be the same type and may come from the same source. Upon further checking with open sources, it appears that the said aircraft (#022) is not a US Navy aircraft C-130T as earlier expected, but is a US Marine Corps unit, with tail number 163022, and is actually a KC-130T multipurpose transport-tanker aircraft. Photo taken from US Embassy in the Philippines website. PAF and US officials during the 2nd inspection of C-130T aircraft at Fort Worth, Texas. Expected delivery was placed by 1st quarter of 2016, although no exact month was specified. Victor Bayani, has already signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance signifying the approval to procure the inspected aircraft. The press release also indicated that the Philippine government, through Maj. Photos from the US Embassy press release shows the Philippine officials with one of the aircraft with number 022, and was said to be in Joint Reserve Naval Air Station Fort Worth in Texas. The US Embassy released information last Januthat the Philippine Air Force has completed a second inspection of two C-130T that are being offered for transfer to the aforementioned armed service.

Fundation reading program vs paf reading