Now this would not be a hard decider, A C-130 X 5 Options

[Ian Warren]

Planning underway to replace Hercules aircraft
NewstalkZB | 12:45pm Mon 07 May 2012

Planning has begun to replace an integral part of the Air Force's capabilities.

A parliamentary report reveals the Air Force's five C-130 Hercules aircraft will need to be replaced in about eight years time.

The report says planning for the replacement process has already begun with two main options being considered.

Either the Hercules will be replaced by similar aircraft, or by aircraft that offer different capabilities.

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Ok .. replace a C-130 with a C130 .. For sure a AM-400 is outta the question as with a C-17 .. the new NH's go in with a squeeze .. in about eight years time .. maybe an expanded fuselage C-130 is on the table , very possible , brand new C-130NQs will fit the bill , already trying the 8 blade fuel/sound saver also increased lifting capable .. then to keep maintainace cheap and to service .. what else is out there to replace .

[Naki]

A400M isnt out of the question..IMV its a leading contender along with the C-130J (or derivative). Another aircraft could be the Embraer KC-390 but its possibly too small and not yet flown. My reason for the A400M - it wil fit the NH-90...IIRC it doesnt fit in the C-130. If the A400 is chosen ...maybe a smaller total can be ordered than the current C-130 fleet and numbers made up with some other smaller aircraft such as the C-295

C-17 is out - too big, too expensive and soon out of production if no new orders come in soon.

[Ian Warren]

Guess we will see in the next few years , the 400 hope not , would like to see one BUT still eight years to go .. well maybe the airforce could pull the same sorta Lavi dribble .

[Charl]

Well... military budgets are tight and getting tighter.
I would not put any money against this one winning the replacement contract.
Fits the latest Free Trade Agreement, and was good enough for Pakistan...

[Naki]

I wouldnt put any money on that winning!...my $10 is on the A400

[Ian Warren]

Looking at the way NZ and its spending sure as heck won't see the 400 , its above the requirements course the typical politic fusspots and then if they did , numbers would only be 2 or 3 , you then have to remember a deployment - it was only 10 plus years back they could not even have field only a single Herc and even crewed it or even the whats left of the Orion squadron , more likely be second hand C130Js , cripes even turned to leasing from the US .

[cowpatz]

A fleet of Mack trucks painted in Airforce colours?

[Ian Warren]

A fleet of Mack trucks painted in Airforce colours?

Macks are a little big .. to expensive .. possibly a Datsun C60 or a simple Commer van

[Naki]

Looking at the way NZ and its spending sure as heck won't see the 400 , its above the requirements course the typical politic fusspots and then if they did , numbers would only be 2 or 3 , you then have to remember a deployment - it was only 10 plus years back they could not even have field only a single Herc and even crewed it or even the whats left of the Orion squadron , more likely be second hand C130Js , cripes even turned to leasing from the US .

They already spent money on the more expensive European option with the choppers so I cant see why it wont be different with the Herc (& 757?) replacement...I guess it will depend how mature the A400 is when the decision is made. Lets see who's right in 8 or so years time.

[FlyingKiwi]

I'd put my money on a newer version of the C-130 - not necessarily the cheapest option from an initial purchase point of view, but much easier from the perspective of transitioning crews, maintenance etc. and not to mention it's a proven aircraft.

[deeknow]

Wasnt aware of the Kawasaki XC2...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_C-X


Looks like a decent technical comprimise, kind of a mini-C17, cant tell from the wiki page if they're really in service or still in testing, anyone know?

[Naki]

Still testing the C-2.

Probably a good aircaft but the issue with that aircraft is that Japan has strict export controls on military equipment - although relaxed a bit recently I believe....and do we really want aircraft that is used by one air arm? (so far and probably will be for the forseeable future)...we already have issues with the Seasprites because we are one of the few users of the type.