Development testing of the new HC-130J Combat King II personnel recovery aircraft for the US Air Force was completed on 14 March 2011. The final test point—air-to-air refueling—marked the first refueling of an HC-130J. It also marked the first boom refueling of a C-130 with a refueling receptacle installed during aircraft production, rather than being retrofitted. Because of the similarities between the HC-130J and the new MC-130J Combat Shadow II aircraft now in production, the data gathered during this test will also apply to the MC-130J. Deliveries of the HC-130Js and MC-130Js will begin in August 2011. Initial operational capability for both aircraft is scheduled for 2012.
