The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.

The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.

The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.

The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.

The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.

The US Air Force (USAF) is modernising its fleet of Lockheed LC-130H Hercules ‘Skibird’ aircraft as the service leadership expects to see increasing demand for the aircraft in the Arctic.

“It is likely we will see the demand (for the aircraft) go up to be able to have unlimited access to the Arctic region, which the aircraft is essential to,” General David Goldfein, USAF chief of staff, said on 21 July during an Atlantic Council event.

A LC-130H ‘Skibird’ from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing pictured on a runway in Greenland on 27 June 2016. The USAF is modernising its fleet of LC-130H aircraft as the aircraft is essential for accessing the Arctic, a growing region of importance to the Pentagon. (US Air National Guard)

The LC-130H is the polar version of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. It features ski-equipped landing gear, which enables operation on snow or ice for all-year access to places such as Greenland and Antarctica.