Lockheed Martin has a new, multiyear contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to deliver 78 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a phased order worth over $1 billion initially and $5.3 billion overall. The overall contract involves Super Hercules aircraft for the U.S. Air Force (30 MC-130Js, 13 HC-130Js and 29 C-130J-30s) and the U.S. Marine Corps (six KC-130Js). It also gives options for five HC-130J aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The contractor said the contract would be coordinated with the U.S. government’s Better Buying Power initiative, to achieve savings through through multiyear procurement rather than annual buys.
Deliveries of the aircraft will start this year and continue through 2020.
The C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Martin. Originally developed as a troop, medivac, and cargo transport aircraft, it also been adapted for use as a gunship, for airborne assault missions, search and rescue missions, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, and various other roles. According to Lockheed, it delivers a “unique mix of versatility and performance to complete any mission, anytime, anywhere.”
The OEM supplied the USAF and USMC with 60 C-130Js through an initial, multiyear contract in effect from 2003 to 2008.
“We are proud to partner with the U.S. government to continue to deliver to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard the world’s most proven, versatile and advanced airlifter,” stated George Shultz, Lockheed’s vice president and general manager for Air Mobility & Maritime Missions. “This multiyear contract provides true value to our U.S. operators as they recapitalize and expand their much-relied-upon Hercules aircraft, which has the distinction of being the world’s largest and most tasked C-130 fleet.”
