ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia, Aug. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today at the 50th anniversary Abbotsford International Air Show that Cascade Aerospace will be authorized as a C-130 Heavy Maintenance Center (HMC) – only the second such center in the world. Cascade is currently a Hercules Service Center (HSC) and conducts in-service support for Canada's legacy CC-130 and new CC-130J fleets.

"During its time as an existing Hercules maintainer, Cascade has demonstrated it has both the capability and process integrity to be certified as a C-130 Heavy Maintenance Center," said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for C-130 programs. "As we see worldwide interest in C-130 support expand, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that qualified and experienced companies support the Hercules community. Cascade is dedicated to supporting Canada's CC-130 fleet and authorizing its role as an HMC provider is a natural step in our overall partnership."

"We are honored to receive this prestigious status from Lockheed Martin," said David Schellenberg, Cascade Aerospace CEO. "We are privileged to have Lockheed Martin's respect and credibility behind it, and to be positioned as one of only two C-130 HMCs in the world. With more than 1,450 C-130s currently operating in 65 countries around the globe − as well as Lockheed Martin's C-130J delivery backlog and strong order book − this much-appreciated standing will significantly increase the international opportunities for Cascade Aerospace." 

Lockheed Martin delivered Canada's 17th CC-130J aircraft to the Royal Canadian Air Force at 8 Wing Trenton earlier this year, completing the order Canada placed in December 2007 and delivering the aircraft on budget and three months ahead of schedule. Cascade's team supports the day-to-day activities of both the CC-130J and legacy model aircraft at 8 Wing Trenton, the hub of air mobility operations in Canada.

Lockheed Martin awarded a 20-year contract in 2010 to Cascade for maintenance services to support Canada's new CC-130Js. Cascade also provides fleet management services directly to the RCAF for their legacy model C-130 fleet. Cascade is one of only two Lockheed Martin-authorized Hercules Service Centers in the western hemisphere and one of 13 worldwide.  An HMC is one that is authorized to do work on the new C-130J aircraft whereas an HSC is authorized to do work on the legacy C-130B-H aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation's net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company