The US Air Force is moving forward with an amphibious, pontoon-equipped version of the MC 130J Commando II used by its special operators — and hopes to be able to fly a prototype of the aircraft in less than a year and a half.
A U.S. Special Operations Command official said at a conference in May that the military was considering developing an amphibious MC-130, but that concerns about feasibility meant that the Air Force would take a hard look at the idea before proceeding.
But in a Tuesday press release, Air Force Special Operations Command outlined plans to go ahead with the MC-130J Commando II Amphibious Capability, or MAC, program.
