Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, a business area of Lockheed Martin Corporation , 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.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company