Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Harvest Hawk proving itself to commanders

3rd June 2011 - 11:22 GMT | by Tony Osborne in Camp Dwyer, Helmand

RSS

Aircrews flying the US Marine Corps’ latest aerial platform say it has more than proven itself in combat.

The KC-130J Harvest HAWK (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit) may look like any other Hercules but Lockheed Martin and the USMC have turned the aircraft into an extremely capable close air support aircraft with the ability to spend hours over the battlefield and deliver ordnance to where it’s needed.

The Harvest Hawk went into operation in October 2010 and since then has flown around 1,300 flight hours, expending nearly around 40 Hellfires and 10 Griffin missiles against enemy combatants in Southern Afghanistan.

The

Already have an account? Log in

Want to keep reading this article?

Author

Tony Osborne

Tony was deputy editor of Defence Helicopter and Rotorhub magazines before joining Aviation Week in …

Read full bio

More from Digital Battlespace

Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool

Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems

Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster

The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end

Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella

Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system

MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.