More Lockheed Martin C-130J Aircraft Now
on Contract
MARIETTA, Ga. -- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin
Corporation [NYSE: LMT], announced today that
the five C-130J-30 transport aircraft
appropriated in the 2002 U.S. defense budget
have been placed on contract and will be
delivered to the United States Air Force in
2004. The contract is valued at $355
million.
The C-130J-30, which is a company
designation, has now been re-designated as
CC-130J by the Air Force to comply with
documentation requirements and designation
system rules.
"With this contract and with a USAF
multi-year acquisition plan in the 2003 defense
budget, the future of the C-130J as a
cornerstone of U.S. air mobility looks secure,"
said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin's C-130J
program vice president. "The C-130J is rapidly
proving itself to be the world's most versatile
and cost-effective airlifter."
Two of the five aircraft will be delivered to
the 146th Airlift Wing, California Air National
Guard, and one each to the 143rd Airlift Wing,
Rhode Island ANG; the Air Force Reserve
Command's 403rd Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss.; and
the new C-130J Formal Training Unit at Little
Rock AFB, Ark. The USAF currently has a
requirement for a combination of 168 C-130Js and
CC-130Js, of which 40 have been ordered to
date.
Built at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga.,
facility, the CC-130J is based on the standard
C-130J model, but features a fuselage 180 inches
(457.2 centimeters) longer than the standard
C-130J model, providing the greater airlift
capability required by many operators.
Although designated a tactical airlifter, the
CC-130J has demonstrated strategic capabilities
by flying non-stop more than 4,000 miles without
being refueled. As a result of the advanced
technology incorporated into the CC-130J's
design and its outstanding performance, this
aircraft meets 80 percent of the world's airlift
requirements.
The USAF CC-130Js will be equipped with the
computer-controlled Enhanced Cargo Handling
System, which allows quick conversion from cargo
floor tie-downs to rollers for palletized cargo.
When compared with the standard model, the
CC-130J can carry 128 combat troops instead of
92 and 92 paratroops instead of 64. It can also
carry eight standard military 463L pallets
rather than six, 97 medical litters instead of
74 and 24 container delivery system (CDS)
bundles instead of 16.
With these new aircraft, a total of 118
C-130Js and CC-130Js have been ordered
worldwide, with 85 aircraft delivered so far.
Current customers include the U.S. Air Force,
Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command,
U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Air
Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air
Force and the Royal Danish Air Force.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.,
headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leader
in the design, development, systems integration,
production and support of advanced military
aircraft and related technologies. Its customers
include the military services of the United
States and allied countries throughout the
world. Products include the F-16, F-22, F-35
JSF, F-117, C-5, C-27J, C-130, P-3, and U-2.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a unit of
Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in
Bethesda, Md. Lockheed Martin is a global
enterprise principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture and integration
of advanced technology systems, products and
services. Employing about 125,000 people
worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24
billion.
Contact: Peter Simmons
770.494.6208 Email: peter.e.simmons@lmco.com
For information on Lockheed Martin
Corporation, visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
For information on Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company, visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/ |