U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet            MC-130W COMBAT                   SPEAR                  Mission The MC-130W                   Combat Spear conducts infiltration, exfiltration and resupply                   of U.S. and allied special operations forces in direct support                   of unified and theater special operations commands and U. S.                   Special Operations Command contingencies. Collateral missions                   include refueling of special operations vertical lift assets,                   forward arming and refueling, specialized ordnance delivery,                   airdrops in support of psychological operations, and limited                   command and control capabilities. Its world-wide mission is                   performed primarily at night to reduce operational                   risk. Features The aircraft                   is a highly modified C-130H featuring improved navigation,                   threat detection and countermeasures, and communication                   suites. Select MC-130W aircraft will be modified with a                   precision strike package until additional special operations                   forces gunships are procured. The navigation suite is                   a fully integrated Global Positioning System and Inertial                   Navigation System that interfaces with the AN/APN-241 Low                   Power Color Radar and AN/AAQ-38 Infrared Detection System. The                   improved threat detection and countermeasures systems include                   advanced radar and missile warning receivers, chaff and flare                   dispensers and active infrared countermeasures, protecting the                   aircraft from both radar and infrared-guided                   threats. The communication systems upgrades                   include dual sateliite communications suite with data burst                   capability. The aircraft has both interior and exterior night                   vision goggle compatible lighting. Aircraft modified with the                   precision strike package will be equipped with sensors and                   weaponry.Structural improvements to the basic C-130H                   include the addition of the Universal Aerial Refueling                   Receptacle Slipway Installation or UARRSI, and a strengthened                   tail empennage. The UARRSI allows the aircraft to conduct                   in-flight refueling as a receiver, and strengthening of the                   tail will allow High Speed Low Level Aerial Delivery                   System airdrop operations. The MC-130W is equipped with                   Mk 32B-902E refueling pods. These pods are part of the most                   technologically advanced refueling system available, and                   provide the ability to refuel special operations helicopters                   and the CV-22 Osprey.Background                   The first MC-130W was presented to the Air Force Special                   Operations Commander June 28, 2006, in a ceremony at                   Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The aircraft was developed by a                   team of contractor and depot personnel to replace MC-130                   Combat Talon combat losses experienced over time. The program                   modifies C-130H aircraft from the 1987 to 1990 year                   group.The new aircraft will be able to accomplish many                   of the same missions as the previous ones, plus they have the                   ability to air-to-air refuel special operations helicopters.                   The aircraft will be based at AFSOC bases worldwide.                   General Characteristics Primary                   Function: Infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of                   special operations forces; in-flight refueling of special                   operations vertical lift assets                   Contractor: Lockheed Power                   Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines                   Thrust: 4,910 shaft horsepower each                   engine Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches (40.4                   meters) Length: 98 feet, 9 inches (30.09                   meters) Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7                   meters) Weight: 75,745 pounds (34,430                   kilograms) Maximum Takeoff Weight:                   155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms) Fuel                   Capacity: 44,240 pounds (20,108 kilograms)                   Maximum Normal Payload: 33,000 pounds (14,969                   kilograms) Speed: 300 mph                    Maximum Range: 1,208 miles (1,944                   kilometers); in-flight refueling extends to unlimited                   rangeCeiling: 33,000 feet (10,000                   meters) Crew: pilot, copilot, two                   navigators (officers), flight engineer and two loadmasters                   (enlisted) Initial operating capability:                   2007 Date deployed: 2006Unit                   Cost: $60 million Inventory:                   Active force, 12 (planned)Point Of Contact Air Force                   Special Operations Command, Public Affairs Office, 229                   Cody Ave., Suite 103; Hurlburt Field, FL 32544-5312; DSN                   579-5515 or 850-884-5515; e-mail: afsoc.pa@hurlburt.af.mil