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By: 4th March 2014 at 16:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-It might be a part of the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system fitted to an MC-130E?
By: 4th March 2014 at 17:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-73-1590/DM EC-130H 355th Wing, so not an MC-130E.
By: 4th March 2014 at 17:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I did think it might be for Drone recovery, but there would need to be some accurate flying to avoid the props.
By: 4th March 2014 at 18:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I'm sure someone can tell me what variant of C-130 this is, from Davis Monthan AFB ?.
Taken in 2000 at Mildenhall. I assume the wires are antennas, but what is the trapeze like framework
underneath ?
EC-130H Compass Call (electronic warfare) variant.
By: 4th March 2014 at 20:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-EC-130H Compass Call (electronic warfare) variant.
Concur with EC-130 and a signals intelligence antenna. The "trapeze" aft of the ramp helps keep the aft antenna in shape. This tail mounted array is known informally as the "Cheese Grater" for obvious reasons.
By: 5th March 2014 at 05:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Exactly - you can see the lower wire arrays attach to the corners of that structure.
By: 5th March 2014 at 07:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Thanks gentlemen. After nearly 14yrs, I finally find out what it was I took a photo of !
According to Wikiwhatsit: "....The system attempts to disrupt enemy command and control communications and
limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force management..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_EC-130H_Compass_Call
By: 5th March 2014 at 12:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Regarding the "...Fulton surface-to-air recovery system...", I believe this was primarily designed for recovering downed aircrew in Vietnam.
Does anyone know if it was used much in that conflict ?
I remember seeing it demonstrated at an airshow (using a dummy), at Bentwaters I think.
By: 5th March 2014 at 16:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Regarding the "...Fulton surface-to-air recovery system...", I believe this was primarily designed for recovering downed aircrew in Vietnam.
Does anyone know if it was used much in that conflict ?I remember seeing it demonstrated at an airshow (using a dummy), at Bentwaters I think.
I do not think the Fulton was ever used for a Vietnam shoot down rescue. Special ops yes, aircrew rescue no. This source, "PJ's in Vitenam" says it was not used for operational recoveries. Seems the ballon was a give away to the enemy. Helicopters were rpeferred. page 224. http://books.google.com/books?id=kAI-VBk8K8gC&pg=PA223&lpg=PA223&dq=fulton+recovery+system++used+in+vietnam&source=bl&ots=xvUYfxmEVE&sig=8OpYLzHMIsUGmwvmHcJL3GWM630&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WE8XU4CBMayO1AGmsYHQAg&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=fulton%20&f=false
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By: AlanR - 4th March 2014 at 16:40
I'm sure someone can tell me what variant of C-130 this is, from Davis Monthan AFB ?.
Taken in 2000 at Mildenhall. I assume the wires are antennas, but what is the trapeze like framework
underneath ?
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