This isn’t the first time plans for an amphibious aircraft with the built-in versatility of the C-130 has come to light.
The Air Force estimates an operational capability demonstration could come in as little as 17 months. 14 AFSOC update doesn’t provide a significant amount more detail than May’s announcement, it does note that a task force of unspecified collaborators are working with AFSOC and the Air Force Research Lab’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation directorate to create a prototype. The Air Force had previously announced it’s intention to develop the water-capable aircraft at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in May of this year, as reported by The Drive in May.
