The Algerian Air Force has received the first of four C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft ordered from American aerospace firm Lockheed Martin in 2018, the US Embassy in Algeria said in a press release.
According to a report by MENA Defense, the US-made transport aircraft took off from a factory in South Carolina, flew to Bangor International Airport in Maine, and arrived in Algeria at the air force’s primary base for cargo aircraft.
Regarded as the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft, the C-130J Super Hercules features digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller.
The aircraft can take off from dirt airstrips and airdrop troops and equipment into hostile areas.
Additionally, the transport aircraft can accommodate oversized cargo from utility helicopters to six-wheeled armored vehicles. It can also airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds (19,050 kilograms).
The C-130J is expected to support the Algerian military in performing a variety of missions, including border security, counter-terrorism, maritime patrol, responding to internal security threats, and medical evacuation.
With the recent delivery, Algeria becomes the third customer in Africa to purchase the cargo plane after Tunisia and Egypt.