The first of six new C130-J Hercules transport planes arrived in the IAF Nevatim base on Wednesday, 9 Nissan 5774. The plane arrived from the Lockheed Martin factory in Atlanta, USA.

While the Americans call the plane the “Super Hercules”, in Israel it will be referred to as the “Shimshon”. The plane is 100 KPH faster than its predecessor, and it has an extended flying range, 5,000km (3,000 miles). This is 1,400km (840 miles) longer than the older model. The Shimshon can also be refueled in mid-flight.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)