Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - March 6, 2010: The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] CC-130J Super Hercules for Canada completed its first flight, March 3, 2010. The aircraft is the first of 17 CC-130Js and will be delivered in summer 2010. 
The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. Externally similar to the classic Hercules in general appearance, the J model is a very different aircraft. These differences include new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprops with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including Head-Up Displays (HUDs) for each pilot) and reduced crew requirements (two pilots and one loadmaster—no navigator or flight engineer). The largest operator of the new model will be the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering the aircraft in increasing numbers. Current operators of the C-130J are the USAF (to include the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard), U.S. Marine Corps (being their 4th variant after KC-130F, KC-130R and KC-130T), U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Danish Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Italian Air Force. Total deliveries of C-130J aircraft have reached 181 units as of November 2009.
Lockheed Martin has offered to lease four C-130Js to the German Luftwaffe, which has been awaiting a Transall replacement set for 2010 (the Airbus A400M), but the deal was rejected.
The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$1.059 billion. It is a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations.
A C-130J Super Hercules is cleaned in the wash system at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
The Canadian Forces signed a US$1.4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for 17 new C-130J-30s on 16 January 2008, as part of the procurement process to replace the existing C-130E and H models. The C-130J will be officially designated CC-130J Hercules in Canadian Forces service.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force ordered four C-130Js in 2007 to replace six aging C-130Hs in need of additional repairs. The first aircraft was delivered in November 2008.
Qatar ordered four C-130Js in 2008, along with spare parts and training for the Qatari Emiri Air Force. The contract is worth a total of US$393.6 million and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011. The United Arab Emirates Air Force announced an order for 12 C-130J transport aircraft at the 2009 IDEX, with an announced value of US$1.3 billion.
The Israeli Air Force is seeking to purchase nine C-130J-30s. The Iraqi Air Force has ordered six C-130J-30s.
In June 2009, Lockheed Martin said that both Britain and France had asked for technical details on the C-130J as an alternative to the troubled Airbus A400M.
Deliveries will be completed through 2012. The CC-130J Super Hercules will give Canada increased airlift capability with an aircraft that has greater range, power and reliability over previous C-130 models. Canada is one of 12 countries that have now ordered the Super Hercules, in demand worldwide thanks to its mission flexibility and capability.
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