A U.S. House of Representatives report on the Committee on Foreign Affairs Survey of Activities published on 18 July, states that Morocco has requested the transfer of two C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from the United States under its Excess Defence Articles (EDA) program.
The US Government has agreed to the pending transfer of the two C-130Hs and has requested further inquiries to the Moroccan Government to discuss the status of their request.
The Lockheed Martins C-130 Hercules is the U.S built four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. It is capable of operating in an austere environment, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medevac, and cargo transport aircraft. However, the versatile airframe has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship (AC-130), for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime patrol, and aerial firefighting. It is now the main tactical transport aircraft for many military forces worldwide.
The C-130H model has updated Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, a redesigned outer wing, updated avionics, and other minor improvements.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force already has the C-130 Hercules in its inventory, with sixteen operational units as well as a KC-130H tanker aircraft in service. These are complemented by four C-27J Spartans, half a dozen CN-235s and several Do 28s.
