Advanced Development Approaches Applied in Amphibious Technology
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Military seaborne operations offer nearly unlimited water landing zones providing significant flexibility. As the US national strategic objectives shift focus to littoral regions, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is advancing new approaches to expand the multi-mission C-130J aircraft’s runway independence and expeditionary capacity.
A new development process will enable the C-130J aircraft to take off and land in bodies of water. Although this versatile model has landed on rough fields, in arctic locations and even an aircraft carrier, it cannot land on water.
In partnership with the Air Force Research Lab’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (AFRL-SDPE) directorate, AFSOC is developing an MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability (MAC) to improve the platform’s support of seaborne special operations, to allow the Air Force to increase placement and access for infiltration, exfiltration, and personnel recovery, as well as providing enhanced logistical capabilities.
The development of a removable amphibious float modification for the amphibious aircraft would enable “runway independent” operations. Utilizing that capability may provide unlimited operational access to waterways to distribute forces if land assets are compromised.
A task force of industry partners is closely collaborating with AFSOC and AFRL-SDPE to bring the vision to life.
A five-phase rapid prototyping schedule will lead to an operational capability demonstration.
AFSOC and private sector counterparts are currently testing MAC prototypes through digital design, virtual reality modeling (VR), and computer-aided designs (CAD) in a virtual setting known as the Digital Proving Ground (DPG), paving the way for digital simulation, testing, and the use of advanced manufacturing for rapid prototyping and physical prototype testing, according to afrc.af.mil.
