How many total seats are required for mass operations on a C-130J-30?

The correct answer, which states that a total of 78 seats are required for mass operations on a C-130J-30, reflects the aircraft's design and operational capabilities. The C-130J-30 variant is specifically configured to accommodate a larger number of personnel due to its stretched fuselage. This extended version can host several troop seating arrangements, making it suitable for mass transport missions, including troop deployments and humanitarian assistance.

In mass operations, the ability to carry up to 78 personnel optimizes the efficiency of airlift missions, allowing military and humanitarian operations to mobilize quickly and effectively. The seating configuration takes into account not just the number of seats, but also the logistics involved in loading and unloading passengers or cargo, thus reflecting the aircraft's versatility and design for large-scale operations.

The other options provided do not align with the design specifics of the C-130J-30, as they either underestimate or misrepresent the aircraft's maximum seating capacity, which is essential for understanding its operational efficiency in mass transport scenarios.