Lockheed Martin delivered its 2,268th C-130 Hercules airlifter yesterday, continuing the longest, continuous, active military aircraft production line in history.

The new aircraft, a C-130J Super Hercules, was flown to its new home at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., by Brig. Gen. David A. Brubaker, the deputy director of the Air National Guard; Lt. Col. Steven Friedricks, the commander of the 146th Airlift Wing, the Air National Guard unit receiving the C-130J; and Lt. Col. Greg Jones, an instructor pilot with the 146th AW. This is the third Super Hercules to be delivered to the Ventura County-based wing.

"The Air National Guard is excited about the C-130J program," Brubaker told a gathering of C-130J assembly line workers prior to departure. "The Guard is the largest customer for C-130Js and I want to thank you for the work you do in getting this aircraft to the fight. These days, if you are a C-130 unit, you are working hard. The need for this aircraft is only going to continue, and we are going to have the J on the front lines in just a couple of months."

The fourth C-130J for the 146th AW is scheduled to be delivered later this month. The wing will eventually receive a total of eight C-130Js to replace its current fleet of early 1960s-vintage C-130Es that saw service in Vietnam.

In addition to the normal airlift mission, the 146th AW's new C-130Js are expected to be used for aerial firefighting. The 146th AW is one of four Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command C-130 units that are tasked to fight forest fires using the current Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) or the new advanced, more capable Airborne Fire Fighting System (AFFS) developed for the U.S. Forest Service, which is now being tested.

The first YC-130 prototype was flown on August 23, 1954. Since then, more than 2,260 Hercules aircraft of all types in more than 70 different variants have been delivered to 60 countries. 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.

A total of 179 C-130Js are on order, and 115 have been delivered to date. In the United States, Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units fly C-130Js. The Marine Corps operates KC-130J tankers and the Coast Guard flies the HC-130J.

International C-130J operators include the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force, and the Royal Danish Air Force, all of which have recently operated, or are currently operating, deployed Super Hercules aircraft in the Middle East or Afghanistan.

The capabilities and performance of the C-130J in supporting light, fast and lethal combat operations make it a true transformational asset.

Lockheed Martin Background

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.

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