Defense News reports that the MC-130J Commando II and KC-130J Super Hercules are experimenting with high-energy lasers, landing and take-off, and a fully automatic unmanned cockpit.

C-130s were first built in the 1950s and have served several generations of military personnel in warfare around the world. Now, “threats are growing, they’re only getting worse,” say experts. That’s why airplanes want to develop with new technologies.

They plan to opt for automatic control. This would free the crew for combat missions. In addition, aircraft need more advanced communication systems that can receive data from other platforms to increase situational awareness in real time. Specialists also want to improve military training through augmented and virtual reality.

It will be remembered that the Lockheed C-130 Hercules is considered the most common military transport aircraft in the world.