Flying Boats Coming Back In Vogue?

[rangerrebew]

Flying Boats Coming Back In Vogue?
By John Mills (Col, USA, Ret)
December 29, 2025
 
Special Operations Command flailed for several years on turning C-130s into float planes, leasing from a successful operator may be a better idea

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is one of America’s premiere military forces.

But large scale program management is not always one of their strong points.

SOCOM did exploratory work on amphibious C-130s, but cancelled the whole project in 2024. But the requirement for flying boats still stands.

The U.S. needs modern flying boats for security of the Homeland and also the Pacific Theater.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, just signed, had this section:

https://armedforces.press/flying-boats-coming-back-in-vogue/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Used to fly onto shallow water platforms using Grumman's Mallard when I worked for Texaco.

After landing on its belly, would float to a platform ramp and drive onto it.

So it was a plane, a boat and a car all in one.