The Israel Air Force’s new Super-Hercules can reach any point in Iran

A ceremony inaugurating the entry into service of the Israel Air Force’s new “Samson” air transport plane, Lockheed-Martin’s new generation C-130J Super Hercules, was attended Wednesday by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel and US Ambassador Dan Shapiro. Another five Super Hercules are due for delivery by the end of the year. With a range of 4,000 km, Samson can reach any point in Iranian air space. It can carry four SUVs and 129 combat personnel or 92 paratroops with full combat gear, as well as 97 gurneys for evacuating casualties. The new plane is equipped with systems designed by Israel that streamline aircraft maintenance work. More Israeli-designed computers will be added. The Samson will also ease the function mid-air refueling.