MC-130J Tests Aerodynamic ‘Finlets’ to Reduce Drag, Fuel Costs

MC-130J Tests Aerodynamic ‘Finlets’ to Reduce Drag, Fuel Costs

An MC-130J special operations aircraft took off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., earlier this month with tiny aluminum fins mounted to its rear door and on either side of its tail fin—the latest step by the Air Force to squeeze fuel efficiency out of its mobility fleet.  While small, the aerodynamic “finlets” could reduce drag on the Air Force’s C-130 aircraft by 6 to 8 percent, according to a July 24 release from the 96th Test Wing. That, in t…