C-130J-30 Super Hercules first flight | Royal New Zealand Air Force

The first of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s C-130J-30 Super Hercules has successfully completed its first test flight over Georgia, United States. This milestone brings us one step closer to welcoming home the first aircraft later this year. Take a look behind the scenes of this special milestone in the project.
These Lockheed Martin aircraft will replace the existing C-130H (NZ) Hercules fleet, which has been in operation since the 1960’s. You can read more about the project at nzdf.mil.nz/c-130j
#Force4NZ #NZAirForce

[@mistry9408]

Relieved we are getting props, someone has made the right decision

[@captainjoshq300]

awesome sadly this is the end of an era for our C-130H still can’t wait to see these flying around our lovely Aotearoa want a weekly basis this will be so cool to spot from my hometown of Wellington good job defence force on finally replacing the old Hercs after 60+ plus years of Service

[@man_vs_life]

Looking slick.

[@keepingitreal601]

Can't believe it's taken NZ this long to get a C-130J.

[@kieranmacdonald83]

Thanks to the outstanding maintenance by the RNZAF we haven’t had to.

[@pheels]

The USAF still hasn't retired all its h models. The RNZAF chose to extend the life of their h model when the j model was introduced. They cant do that anymore. RNZAF will probably be doing the same with the j model

[@futte8024]

They are actually very smart. They waited for the Block 8.1 version.

[@brianwhetton9621]

This is great. I hope the Govt. are urgently considering the funding of replacement passenger jets to replace the trouble prone units that the RNZAF currently have.

[@nigelwatkins558]

Trouble with the 757s is that they are not flown enough.....

[@matthewdudael1931]

* salutes * RNZAF

[@MrDuxfield]

So, now we can get the walkthrough video?

[@gopropolice8256]

Now we just need our Air Combat Wing

[@rocket870]

Yes! But I have looked at our pst missions our NZDF have completed especially in Humanitarian Aid and what our NZDF have done in support during Vietnam. I reckon that if we had a full Naval Assault Fleet with an Air Wing Unit and a Ground Assault Unit. Having a Naval Attack fleet would let us cover more of our coastline and do more damage by Sea, Then once the Naval assets have reached land and would be needing a ground assault unit to deploy off of diving ships or Help Carriers(Amphibious Assault Ship) Having a Naval Air Wing would let us deploy aircraft off of ships and carriers to conduct Air to Ground strikes or recognisance missions. In theory having one singular branch would let us have 3 billion a year on one branch instead of 3 seperate branches and giving each 1 billion in defence budget a year. The United States have their Naval Attack fleet and the U.S Marines travel in assault ships via the United States Navy. U.S Marines are their own branch or strike force but they travel with an Air Wing unit and a ground strike unit.

[@snakegully1634]

Sadly, the overwhelming majority of people who say that never vote for it. The reality is that Labour destroyed our air combat capability and National never, despite all the promises, honored their pledge to reinstate it. You get what you vote for folks. Lest you forget next time.

[@muzzwebstar2081]

I miss the 80's / 90's... just sitting at home and suddenly hear a mighty roar, go outside and a skyhawk is hooning around.

[@rocket870]

@@muzzwebstar2081 Oh man, must sound awesome! When in China since my family served in the Chinese Army and Airforce in the past I get access to things only service members get. I loved seeing jets and attack helicopters fly past over head and the engines make a unique high pitch whistle so you know its military aircraft (I am not communist, its just the past back in ww2... I plan to serve in the NZ Army)

[@nigelwatkins558]

@@snakegully1634 Ironically, it is and was national that degraded our forces

[@michaeldargan7290]

Can't wait to see it in NZ!!!😄

[@timj41]

It’s only just arrived in NZ this week.

[@christianlebordelais]

Belle observation

[@DrakeBuilders]

When our Pacific Islands needs us most #AnswersYes

[@KaneSlade]

Is that way I saw over Tauranga yesterday?

[@briansatchell2319]

I was just thinking the same

[@maximus.4656]

❤

[@AA-sk2yi]

Now we need some fire power in some form to lookafter our most expensive grocery delivery systems .don't get me wrong they have a place in our defense force , but its fair to say if you are a combat soldier the sound of a jet engine may make you a bit happier, And dont say it can't happen look around.

[@nathanmartin9640]

Where new jets 🤔

[@Ben_AviationNZWB]

Does anyone know when it’s coming to nz?

[@jonathanmckeage8222]

I wonder if it would have been better to replace them with airbus A400 it even better than globe master in some area or does new zealand have exclusive contracts with Boeing

[@harrisonfoster1889]

No it wouldn't have as a400m can't land on unprepared ground or short runways where as c130j so long as you got flat ground it can land

[@jonathanmckeage8222]

@@harrisonfoster1889 yes it can it just need 750ms to land

[@futte8024]

The C-130 is still the best tactical airlifter. Look at France and Germany. They both operate the A400. But also invested in new C-130J 's.

[@AjitThakar-rl8xp]

👍🙏

[@SrAkiddOice]

Booooooooo!!!

[@maestro51st]

give us a better airforce give is single engine or twin engine aircraft. Are we still in WW2 ??? we using props LMAO

[@TillyOrifice]

They select aircraft because they suit the role they're intended to play, not because they look cool to adolescent boys.

[@maestro51st]

@@TillyOrifice it’s not about being cool it’s about having some versatility and not being a one dimensional airforce

[@TillyOrifice]

@@maestro51st Nonsense