It is well known that the Austrian Armed Forces are currently to replace its ageing C-130K Hercules transport aircraft and is considering not only and is considering the KC-390 from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer as well as new C-130J Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin. A delegation from the US used the opportunity of a visit to Vienna a few days ago to draw attention to the advantages of the new “Herkys”.
In discussions with various media representatives, Director Air Mobility Richard Johnston and Communications Manager Stephanie S. Stinn emphasized the advantages and possible applications as well as the global market presence of the four-engine Hercules. Johnston particularly emphasized the reliability of the US model. He himself can point to more than 4,000 flight hours on a wide variety of C-130 variants, including “hairy” missions in Afghanistan and Latin America. However, he “always felt safe” in the aircraft, according to Johnston.
Of course, it is known that the competition from Brazil climbs and flies faster and has a greater range – but the KC-390 requires more fuel as well as longer and better developed runways. In addition, the Lockheed representatives advertised the FMS (Foreign Military Sales), the original form of government-to-government business that has proven itself over decades, as a “safe and proven purchasing option” compared to a possible “experiment” with the competition.
As with the purchase of the new AW169 multi-role helicopters the new air transporters are not to be purchased directly from the manufacturer, but via a government detour. In the case of the Embraer transporter, the red-white-red Ministry of Defense could apparently make common cause (procurement) with the Netherlands. The government in The Hague has decided to purchase five aircraft. In addition to the Netherlands, the user group in Europe is completed by Portugal (five aircraft) and Hungary (two). The presentation revealed that Lockheed Martin is apparently offering the army the “stretched” version-30 of the C-130J (see picture above).
The US delegation also emphasized that the Super Hercules is now a “European aircraft”, just like the Brazilian twin-engine jet from Embraer (with suppliers from Portugal and the Czech Republic). Components come from 48 suppliers from 16 countries, including the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and also Portugal, where, interestingly, the supplier is the OGMA plant near the Czech Republic. interestingly, the OGMA plant near Lisbon which Militär Aktuell visited last year – and which has belonged to Embraer for ten years. It’s all a question of operational philosophy
As Richard Johnston explained, the fundamental difference between the KC-390 and C-130J is the straight wing, which provides more lift from take-off than the swept wing of the KC-390. In combination with the immediately available propeller wash of the four Rolls-Royce turboprops over the wing, the Super Hercules lifts instantly compared to any jet. This is a particular advantage on damaged, contaminated or unpaved runways, for example in crisis areas. Landing and taking off with the C-130J is then safer and less risky than with a jet and its high-rev characteristics.
To refute the argument, Embraer has built its own unpaved gravel and sand runway next to its factory runway in Gavião Peixoto – but from the Americans’ point of view, the last 100 miles to the front are not covered by a jet. A tried and tested “warbird” such as the C-130J is better suited for this and the Super Hercules also has advantages in many other missions. What is certain is that both types are comparable in their performance volume to the ex-British veterans of the German Armed Forces (-> here you can find current army reports) from 1967/68 are vastly superior and not only meet but exceed the requirements demanded in Austria. In any case, the army will have to invest heavily in its infrastructure in Linz-Hörsching to enable its use. 
Conclusion
As things stand at present, an FMS with the USA and Lockheed Martin appears to be the only government-to-government option “on the table” if a decision is made in the near future. The Brazilian rival is unlikely to have such an option at the moment, which is unlikely to change until the planned announcement of the type decision. which may change by the time the type decision is announced in a month at the latest. at the latest. Discussions are also being held on an ongoing basis at the level of the armaments directorates. Reports from these are sometimes more positive and sometimes more reserved.
Here for further reports on Lockheed-Martin.
