| The RAF will be retiring from service their last Lockheed Martin C-130K tactical transports by December 2012. And what will be replacing them is an interesting choice.
They will field two converted BAe 146-200QC transports by March 2013, with both aircraft now in work at Hawker Beechcraft Services' Broughton site in north Wales.
Acquired from TNT Airways, the quick change passenger/freighter aircraft have been painted in RAF colours and transferred from Belgium under an urgent operational requirement (UOR) deal for use in Afghanistan. BAE Systems Regional Aircraft was awarded a contract worth £15.5 million ($24.3 million) to prepare them for military use, and has subcontracted the conversion work to Hawker Beechcraft.
"Among the military equipment to be fitted will be defensive aids systems to enable these UOR aircraft to be protected to appropriate levels, at least equivalent to other UK aircraft operating in Afghanistan," BAE says.
Each of the adapted 146M aircraft will be capable of carrying fewer than the type's standard 96 passengers, due to the hot temperature and high-altitude environment encountered in Afghanistan, and due to the volume of equipment carried by combat personnel. Equipped with a large freight door, the baseline QC can alternatively be used to carry up to 10,600kg (23,300lb) on its cargo deck.
The 146 was originally designed to fly in third world countries off short and rough landing strips so I don’t this that there will be any need for mods to the landing gear.
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