U.S. Forest Service

Fire and Aviation Management

Briefing Paper

February 4, 2015

Topic: HC-130H Program Status Update

Issue: Transition of HC-130H aircraft from the US Coast Guard to the Forest Service

Background: The 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorized the US Forest Service (USFS) to acquire through transfer seven HC-130H aircraft from the US Coast Guard (USCG), via the US Air Force (USAF). The USAF will perform center and outer wing-box replacement modifications, programmed depot-level maintenance and modifications necessary to procure and integrate a gravity drop aerial fire retardant dispersal system (RDS) in each aircraft. Once these modifications have been made, the aircraft will formally transfer to the USFS, who will retain ownership. Delivery to the USFS and deployment of the aircraft for firefighting missions will occur in three phases: Initial Operating Capability- MAFFS; Initial Operating Capability- RDS, and Full Operating Capability.

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) - MAFFS

IOC MAFFS is defined as:

Delivery of an operational MAFFS II equipped HC-130H to the Forest Service supported by initial operations, maintenance, and aircrew in place ready to support airtanker operations.

IOC MAFFS is currently scheduled for July 2015. The USFS will receive on bail (loan) from the USCG two HC-130H aircraft modified for Modular Aerial Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) operations. During IOC MAFFS, the Forest Service will have one contract aircrew composed of two instructor pilots, a flight engineer, and two loadmasters. Contracts for aircrew will commence approximately May 1, 2015 to allow time for training prior to the July IOC date. The contracts for maintainers and hangar facilities at McClellan Air Park will commence approximately June 1, 2015. Both aircraft will be kept by contractors in mission ready status. One aircraft will be used as a MAFFS airtanker for firefighting missions within 500 nm of McClellan, CA, and the other aircraft will be used as a training platform until it departs for Programmed Depot Maintenance the Fall of 2015.

To prepare for their oversight role, USFS agency pilots will continue to receive pilot training with USCG instructor pilots. Training flight hours for agency pilots will be limited to a total of 10 hours per month. Aircrew will attend simulator training in early May, then flight training with the USCG, followed by MAFFS mission training in June 2015. Maintenance contract personnel will receive required USCG training in June 2015.

Initial Operational Capability – Retardant Delivery System (IOC-RDS)

IOC RDS is defined as:

Delivery of the first operational RDS-equipped HC-130H to the Forest Service’s Full Operating Capability (FOC) base with operational test and evaluation (OT&E) and ownership transfer completed, and supported by initial operations, maintenance and aircrew in place, ready to support airtanker operations.

Aircraft 1721 will be moved from IOC MAFFS to PDM in the fall of 2015. The first aircraft scheduled for delivery with the new retardant delivery system is aircraft 1719, anticipated for early FY2017. USFS is scheduled to take delivery of one more RDS aircraft in FY2017; three in FY2018 and the final two in FY2019.These aircraft will be supported by contract air crew and maintenance with continued USCG oversight at the FOC base.

Full Operating Capability (FOC)

FOC is defined as:

Seven operational RDS equipped C130Hs on location at USFS designated site(s) ready to support wildfire operations and fully supported in accordance with the USFS Integrated Logistics Support Plan (ILSP).

Anticipated for FY2019, FOC will be reached when programmed depot maintenance (PDM) and gravity-fed retardant delivery system (RDS) installations for all seven aircraft are complete, including implementation of all logistics necessary for a fully operational USFS aerial firefighting program. This date is driving the search for a facility to permanently base all seven aircraft, as well as air crew, logistics, and maintenance staff and facilities. A systematic, objective federal facilities search is being applied to determine FOC basing options.

The USCG will use test results to make a recommendation of airworthiness to USFS for each RDS aircraft. USFS will ultimately be responsible for maintaining this airworthiness by performing maintenance as prescribed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (Lockheed Martin) and in accordance with USCG maintenance standards. USCG will maintain Engineering Authority of each RDS aircraft while under USFS ownership.

Key Points:

·  IOC-MAFFS phase begins July 2015 with aircraft 1721 and 1708 based at McClellan Air Park. Aircraft 1708 will operate as the primary MAFFS II firefighting airtanker.

·  FOC will be achieved with delivery of all seven aircraft, complete with retardant delivery systems installed, anticipated for FY2019.

·  The federal facility search for a permanent base for the seven C130Hs is underway.

Contact: Art Hinaman, Assistant Director Aviation, FAM, 202-205-1505.