Lockheed C-130H Hercules
Jordan23 May 2022
01:30
Origin : EBL
EBL
ORER
Erbil
Arbil Governorate
IraqElevation : 409m / 1341ft
Coordinates : 36°13′15″N 44°57′48″E
Comment
Problematic. For starters the ADS-B address (again) points to Russia. Obviously it's not a Russian aircraft. The callsign/flight-number indicates it belongs to the Royal Jordanian Air Force.The sources that have data are contradictory : while both agree it's a C-130H :
one says it's 359, serial number 4735 and
the other claims it's 346, serial number 4920.
As it happens both C130s are currently part of the RJAFs fleet : here's 359 S/N 4735 and this is 346 S/N 4920.
I picked 346 because it's the only data element that matches something the aircraft transmitted in it's ADS-B message.
Also the source that identifies it as 346 does not list an ADS-B address. That inspires a lot more confidence than a database that is happy linking a Russian ADS-B code to a Jordanian military aircraft.
That is not to say it never happens : there are plenty of military aircraft flying around in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Africa, to name but the most obvious examples, with USAF ADS-B codes but that is after the aircraft was "transferred" to that nation. I can't imagine Russia transferring a C130 to Jordan.
Also the source that identifies it as 346 does not list an ADS-B address. That inspires a lot more confidence than a database that is happy linking a Russian ADS-B code to a Jordanian military aircraft.
That is not to say it never happens : there are plenty of military aircraft flying around in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Africa, to name but the most obvious examples, with USAF ADS-B codes but that is after the aircraft was "transferred" to that nation. I can't imagine Russia transferring a C130 to Jordan.
It is the first RJAF machine we see in Iraq and Erbil specifically. So, it's unusual for that too and the time it is there -- late.
The Russian ADS-B address is ballsy to say the least. What with Ukraine it takes doing flying into American controlled skies identifying as Russian.
The Russian ADS-B address is ballsy to say the least. What with Ukraine it takes doing flying into American controlled skies identifying as Russian.
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