The Super Hercules Air Force Aircraft Arrived In Indonesia, The Largest With A Capacity Transport Of 20 Tons

JAKARTA - The first unit of the Indonesian Air Force (AU) C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1339 arrived in Indonesia after landing at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base (Lanud), Jakarta. This super large aircraft can fit up to 20 tons.

The arrival of the Super Hercules plane was greeted directly by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (Wakasau) Marsdya TNI Agustinus Gustaf Brugman accompanied by Commander of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Colonel Pnb Adrian P. Damanik.

The plane landed at around 13.08 and was greeted with a water salute tradition. Agustinus Gustaf then greeted the seven crew members who got off with a series of flowers.

The seven crew consist of two pilots and two loadmasters from the Lockheed Martin manufacturer. Meanwhile, the other three crew members are two Indonesian Air Force pilot pilots, namely Commander of Squadron 31 Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Lt. Col. Pnb Anjoe Manik, Lt. Col. Aviation Alfonsus, and Captain Tek Janar as flight engineer.

Agustinus reiterated that Super Hercules was chosen to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force because its previous generations have proven its quality, especially in the need for landing on the runway, which is in less than optimal condition.

"It has been proven that this C-130 aircraft was prepared for unprepared runways. For example, yesterday the disaster in Central Sulawesi and its runway was unpredictable, this (airplane) could land," Agustinus said at a press conference welcoming Super Hercules, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 3.

Moreover, Super Hercules C-130J-30 has advantages in the form of an integrated avionic system and more efficient machines.

"So he can fly further and the speed is good," he added.

The TNI AU aircraft C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1339 has four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D turboprop engines with a magnitude of 4,700 stances and is capable of reaching a peak speed of 660 km/hour at an altitude of 6,706 meters.

In addition, the plane has a cargo compartment dimension of 16.9 meters long; 3.12 meters wide; and a height of 2.74 meters, and a carrying capacity of 20 tons. Then, the room was able to accommodate eight pallets or 97 stretchers, 128 combat troops, and 92 paratroopers.

The Super Hercules aircraft is also equipped with a number of features, including aspects of increasing fuel protection and an upgraded cargo handling system.

Agustinus said the Indonesian Air Force had included at least 48 personnel undergoing training at the Lockheed Martin factory, consisting of 12 training pilots, six loadmasters, and 30 treatment training personnel in the form of airframe, promotion, electronic, and avionics.

The plan is for the official handover of the TNI AU aircraft C-130J-30 Super Hercules A-1339 by President Joko Widodo and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday.

For information, the next four Super Hercules aircraft ordered by the Indonesian Air Force will arrive periodically in June, July, and October 2023 and in January 2024. The entire TNI AU C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft is planned to be assigned to Squadron 31 Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base.