Lockheed Martin today delivered another C-130J Super Hercules to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. The aircraft is assigned to the 41st Airlift Squadron, which is currently scheduled to receive 16 C-130Js. The "Black Cats" are currently engaged in Southwest Asia on their first combat deployment. This latest C-130J was accepted by Lt. Gen. John L. "Jack" Hudson, Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

"It is a great honor to deliver this new C-130J to our warfighters in the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base," said Lt. Gen. Hudson during the delivery ceremony. "Generating significantly greater operational effectiveness and efficiency than the older C-130s, the 'J' flies farther, faster and with more payload and higher reliability. This increased capability is critical to our mobility arsenal and to our airmen fighting the Global War on Terror."

The 41st is currently part of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) operating out of Southwest Asia. "Achieving the CAOC's [Combined Air and Space Operations Center] desired effects on the ground in Afghanistan is a direct result of coordination and integration within this Wing," said Lt. Col. Daniel Tulley, 746th EAS. "The recapitalized C-130J is proving itself exceptionally capable, reliable and flexible -- exactly what we need given the diverse missions we fly from this location every day."

In the United States, the USAF's Air Mobility Command, Air Education and Training Command, 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 Royal Danish Air Force. Norway and Canada have ordered new C-130J fleets and India has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for six of the aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company