The United States Department of State has approved the possible sale of twenty-four (24) C-130J-30 aircraft to Australia in order to replace their aging fleet of C-27J Spartans for a total of 6.35B USD. Here is the official message which includes all components of the sale:

”The Government of Australia has requested to buy twenty-four (24) C-130J-30 aircraft with four (4) each Rolls Royce AE-2100D turboprop engines installed; twenty-four (24) Rolls Royce AE-2100D turboprop engines with Quick Engine Change Assembly (QECA) and propellers installed (spares); sixty (60) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) (EGI) security devices, airborne (48 installed, 12 spares); thirty-two (32) AN/ALQ-251 Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) systems; twenty-seven (27) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems (24 installed, 3 spares); sixteen (16) AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM System Processor Replacements (LSPR) (12 installed, 4 spares); and twenty-four (24) Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (installed). Also included are AN/AAQ 24(V)N LAIRCM Infrared Missile Warning Sensors (MWS), Control Interface Unit Replacements (CIRU), and classified memory card User Data Modules (UDM); KYV-5M communication security modules; AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radios; AN/ARC-210 radios; AN/ARN-153 tactical airborne navigation (TACAN) systems; AN/ARN-147 receivers; AN/ARN-149(V) automatic direction finders; AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; AN/AAR 47 missile warning systems; AN/APN-241 Low-Power Color Radars (LPCR); AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS); AN/ALR-56 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; MX-20HD electro optical/infrared targeting systems; AN/KIV-77 IFF cryptographic appliques; Advanced Digital Antenna Production (ADAP) system components; integration support and test equipment; aircraft and support equipment; secure communications equipment, precision navigation, and cryptographic devices; classified software delivery and support; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; classified manuals, publications, and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $6.35 billion.”

The Royal Australian Air Force currently flies (8) C-17A Globemasters, (10) C-27J Spartans, (12) C-130J Hercules, (8) Beechcraft Super King Airs, (2) Boeing 747s, and (3) Dassault Falcon 7Xs for their utility/transport. However, the C-27Js and C-130Js are being replaced in order to usher in the more capable C-130J-30 in order to project power deeper into the contested Pacific. The primary difference between the C-130J and C-130J-30 is the “stretch” of the -30 which adds 15 feet to the fuselage, increasing usable space (two more pallets of equipment) in the cargo compartment. Here is a comparison:

C-27J

• Range at max layload: 1,759 km  (950 nmi)
• Max payload: 24,912 lb

Capacity:

Troop transport: 60 troops or 46 paratroopers

C-130J-30

• Range at maximum normal payload: 2,417 miles (2,100 nautical miles)
• Max payload: 44,000 pounds (19,958 kilograms)

Capacity: 8 pallets or 128 combat troops or 92 paratroopers.