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 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and the Italian Air Force successfully completed the first series of tests last fall that will allow the Italian C-130J fleet to participate in Treaty for Open Skies observation missions. The Open Skies Treaty, which went into effect in 1992, gives each of the twenty-seven signatory countries the right to gather information about the military forces and activities of each member through reciprocal, unarmed observation flights.
A consortium of nine European nations plus Canada meets Open Skies Treaty requirements with the Special Avionics Mission Strap-On-Now C-130 Open Skies Pod System developed by Lockheed Martin for the C-130H. SAMSON COPS consists of a modular control console installed in the aircraft and a mission pod with the same external dimensions as the C-130H standard underwing fuel tank. Integrating SAMSON COPS with the C-130J was requested and funded by Italy, which will be the first country to use the existing pods with the C-130J. Testing will continue to ensure Italy’s participation in the treaty observation flights in 2003.
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