Experimenting with 'Finlets' on MC-130J Aircraft to Minimize Air Resistance and Cut Fuel Expenses
The Air Force's MC-130J special operations aircraft is undergoing a significant upgrade, with the installation of aerodynamic finlets. These small fins, designed to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, were first tested on the C-130 aircraft in 2025.
Flight testing of the finlets began on July 16, with the aim of ensuring their airworthiness. After this initial phase, the MC-130J will head to Edwards Air Force Base, California, for further testing that includes airdrops. The finlets were built by contractor Vortex Control Technologies and installed with their help.
The plan is to install these finlets on the entire C-130J fleet, which includes Super Hercules cargo aircraft, AC-130J gunships, HC-130J helicopter refuelers, and WC-130J "weatherbirds." The reduction in drag could potentially give these aircraft greater range and more fuel efficiency.
The history of adding aerodynamic elements to Air Force aircraft reflects a decades-long effort to reduce drag and improve performance and fuel efficiency. Earlier examples include winglets on KC-135 tankers and microvanes on C-17 transports. This practice is part of broader aerodynamic optimization aimed at increasing range, reducing fuel costs, and enhancing operational efficiency.
Roberto Guerrero, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for operational energy, safety, and occupational health, stated that the finlets milestone is a step towards modernizing the fleet, reducing costs, and increasing combat capability. Every gallon of fuel saved by finlets extends operational reach and enhances readiness in contested logistics environments.
The savings from reducing drag theoretically add up to millions of dollars due to the high number of flights made by these aircraft. The Air Force is also evaluating microvanes on the C-17, moving closer to deploying them fleetwide after more than two years of testing.
However, the Air Force has eliminated planned funding for KC-135 winglets in its 2026 budget request. Despite this, the introduction of finlets on the C-130 represents one of the latest incremental improvements in this ongoing progression of aerodynamic enhancements in Air Force aircraft.
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- The installation of aerodynamic finlets on the Air Force's MC-130J special operations aircraft aims to improve fuel efficiency, similar to the finlets initially tested on C-130 aircraft in 2025.
- The finlets, built by contractor Vortex Control Technologies, will potentially give these aircraft greater range and more fuel efficiency after testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
- The plan to install finlets on the entire C-130J fleet is part of a broader strategy in the military industry, seeking to increase range, reduce fuel costs, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Roberto Guerrero, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force, believes the finlets milestone is a step towards modernizing the fleet, reducing costs, and increasing combat capability.
- The savings from reducing drag on the C-130 aircraft theoretically amount to millions of dollars due to the high number of flights made by these aircraft, but funding for KC-135 winglets has been eliminated in the 2026 budget request.
