Chambliss Announces Marine Corps Decision to Participate in KC-130 Procurement;  Multi-Year Purchase 24 KC-130J Over 6 Years-Good News For Military, Georgia & Lockheed Martin

April 10, 2002

WASHINGTON-U.S. Representative Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today announced the decision by the United States Marine Corps to join the Air Force in a Joint Multiyear procurement of 24 KC-130J aircraft at a savings of 13.3 percent over 6 years.

"Today´s decision by the Marine Corps to participate in a multi-year aircraft procurement is good news for our military, our economy in Georgia and Lockheed Martin in Marietta where the KC-130J are built," Chambliss said. "While America is at war, it is vital that we continue to develop a long-term military plan and the Marine Corps decision is an important step in meeting our readiness goals for the future. The C-130 is the workhouse of the military´s tactical airlift fleet, and the Marine Corps´ current KC-130 fleet is almost 40 years old. In addition, the multi- year procurement creates jobs in Georgia and the savings allows our military to fund other critical areas."

The Marine Corps announced it will participate in a multi-year procurement with the Air Force from Fiscal Year 2003 through Fiscal Year 2008. The Air Force will purchase 40 C-130J aircraft and the Marine Corps will purchase 24 KC-130J aircraft. Both aircraft are built by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia. The total savings realized through the multi-year procurement is 13.3 percent for the military.