MARIETTA, Ga., Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] officials submitted a Program Notification Letter to the Federal Aviation Administration on Jan. 21, 2014, for a type design update for the Lockheed Martin Model L-382J airplane, a civil-certified variant of the proven C-130J Super Hercules to be marketed as the LM-100J.

More than 100 L-100s, which were the commercial variant of the first generation C-130, were produced from 1964-1992 at the then Lockheed-Georgia Co., Marietta, Ga., facility. Many of those airlifters are still operated worldwide by commercial and government customers.

"The LM-100J is a natural expansion of the Super Hercules family. It is a modern answer to the existing, multi-tasked L-100 airlift fleet which, true to Hercules form, is a workhorse that has been a critical cargo asset for 40 years," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, C-130 Programs.
"Our customers and legacy L-100 operators tell us that the best replacement for an L-100 is an advanced version of the same aircraft. The LM-100J is that aircraft."

Through select design changes, the LM-100J will perform as a civil multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient transport of cargo. The LM-100J is expected to be an efficient and ideal airlift solution when delivering bulk and oversize cargo particularly to austere locations worldwide. 

The LM-100J incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100s at a competitive price that results from years of C-130J operational experience, including more than 1 million fleetwide flight hours. The result of this experience and advancement translates to an aircraft that will deliver reliable service in a flexible airframe for decades to come. 

"With the LM-100J, we are leveraging the proven technology and capabilities of the C-130J Super Hercules to offer a modern, flexible commercial aircraft that is ready to deliver freight and support critical civilian missions — anywhere, anytime," said Jack Crisler, vice president, Business Development for Air Mobility, Special Operations and Maritime Programs.

As it is based on the operational C-130J, the civil variant LM-100J can operate from short, unprepared airfields without ground support equipment. It requires minimal material handling equipment and enables rapid onload and offload at truck-bed height. Growth provisions built into the LM-100J will enable it to support a variety of future missions including aerial spray, aerial firefighting and delivery, medevac/air ambulance, humanitarian aid and VIP transport.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 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 2013 were $45.4 billion.

For additional information, visit: http://lockheedmartin.com/us/products/LM-100J.html

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company