If anyone knows, why couldn't C-130s be used for this role? They have to have the carrying capacity and range needed and I don't think we necessarily are talking about something outside of their performance envelope otherwise. So why not? If they need greater speed why not consider the C-17?
Wasn't there just a stink becuase the C-130 line was going to be shut down? Well, extend production and modify them for this role.
I'm sure there's a reason this won't work, but I can't see it.
I was wondering the same thing. Seems to me that C-130's are used in some roles that might be similar to what the Navy needs (e.g. maritime search and rescue work with the U. S. Coast Guard, and weather recon with the Air Force). So couldn't the C-130 be adapted for Navy use?
I agree. Lockheed should have put forth the C-130 as its proposal against the B-737 put up by Boeing. It would require some modification (installing a bomb bay would be the main modification).