As official partner country, India grabbed centrestage to showcase capabilities and attract business opportunities even as the organisers, German Aerospace Industries Association, claimed record sales with the spotlight firmly on innovations responsible for significant reductions in the emission of pollutants by aircraft.

Berlin Air Show, ILA2008 did not disappoint. Showcasing a large influence from official partner country India, the skies above Berlin were criss-crossed by a variety of aerial versions—old and new. From the Dhruv-flying Sarang display team to a fine example of Messerschmitt’s Me-262 and a swift stop from an Antonov AN-124. Germany’s Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel inaugurated the six-day event on May 27 and undertook a 90-minute tour of the venue accompanied by the Indian Defence Minister, A.K. Antony, the German Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, Michael Glos, the Minister President of the Land Brandenburg, Matthias Platzeck, the Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economics, Technology and Women, Harald Wolf, and the President of the Federation of German Industries, Jürgen Thumann.

Defence showstoppers

Lockheed Martin revealed its latest version of the new generation C-130J Hercules. The HC/MC-130J is a tailored common core, special operations variant intended to replace all the Heritage Herc types now used by the Special Operations Command of the US Air Force (USAF). These include HC-130N and HC-130Ps, and MC-130Es, MC-130Ps and MC-130Hs, used in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and by special forces. In the more distant future, Lockheed hopes that this common core airframe will form the basis of a gunship to replace the existing AC-130s.

Developed using company funds in order to meet the USAF’s ambitious target for service entry—though an official acquisition decision memorandum for 68 aircraft has now been issued to replace the older MC-130E and MC-130P and HC-130P aircraft—the overall programme of record requirement is for 115 aircraft. The HC/MC-130J incorporates an in-flight refuelling receiver capability, and is fitted with the 250kt ramp and cargo door from the KC-130J (and the same air-to-air refuelling pods), the EO/IR imaging system from the HC-130H and the enhanced service life wing (with a 920 lb increased durability wing box modification) from the MC-130H. The aircraft has a dual display combat systems operator station not found on transport versions of the C-130J.