The U.S. Air Force formally accepted its first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules here today marking the beginning of a new generation of cargo and personnel transport for the active-duty Air Force.

"There is no question the Super Hercules is going to have a long and dynamic career with the Air Force," said Ross Reynolds, C-130J program vice president. "We have delivered C-130Js to operators around the world and it is very gratifying to see this amazing aircraft beginning the combat role for which it was designed."

Little Rock is home to the Air Force's C-130 Center of Excellence, which provides C-130 aircrew and maintenance training for all U.S. military branches as well as for 27 allied nations. Last week, the base cut the ribbon on its new Lockheed Martin C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (JMATS) facility, a simulator-based schoolhouse which will support C-130J entry into the fleet.

The C-130J, the latest addition to the C-130 fleet, is capable of operating from rough dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The Super Hercules is a quantum leap in airlift technology bringing 40 percent greater performance over current Hercules.

While the exterior looks very much like previous C-130s, the C-130J mission and propulsion systems have been completely redesigned. The new J-model can fly farther, faster, higher and longer, delivering heavier loads to and from shorter runways. Its transformational technology and avionics advances reduce manpower needs onboard the aircraft from five to three and provide for lower operating and support costs.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the C-130's first flight. More than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to more than 60 countries since the program began. Today, 67 countries, counting those that bought used aircraft, fly the Hercules. The C-130J is the latest version to come off the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and 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/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support (LM STS), headquartered in Orlando, FL, is a preeminent supplier of military and commercial platform training solutions for customers worldwide. LM STS provides the academic and simulator training program to support the Department of Defense's C-130J "schoolhouse" at Little Rock AFB.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company