FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ASL Aviation Group signed a Letter of Intent with Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to order up to 10 LM-100J commercial freighters during a ceremony here today.

The LM-100J is the civil-certified version of Lockheed Martin's proven C-130J Super Hercules and is an updated version of the L-100 (or L-382) cargo aircraft. Safair — an ASL associated company based in South Africa — currently operates one of the world's largest L-100 fleets.

"We've long relied on our L-100s to deliver results that no other aircraft can produce. From flying humanitarian relief supplies over rugged African terrain to transporting key cargo within Europe and around the world, no other plane can do what a Hercules can do," said Hugh Flynn, chief executive, ASL Aviation Group. "Being based on the world's most proven airlifter, the LM-100J enables us to continue to support our global customers, and position our company for the future with increased capabilities that only the LM-100J can deliver. We take pride in our legacy L-100 fleet and eagerly look forward to our future as LM-100J operators."

Lockheed Martin officials submitted a Program Notification Letter to the U.S. 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 C-130J Super Hercules to be marketed as the LM-100J. 

"Today is a monumental day in Hercules history as we have the opportunity to start a new era in operations with ASL Aviation Group," said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. "As an L-100 operator, ASL Aviation Group knows the flexibility and reliability that only a Hercules can deliver. ASL's LM-100Js will offer these same attributes and more, helping Safair crews transport literally anything, anywhere, at any time in a technologically advanced airlifter that goes farther and faster than its predecessors. We are honored and excited to share this milestone with ASL."

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

The LM-100J incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100s 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 multi-role platform for decades to come. 

About ASL Aviation Group
The ASL Aviation Group, based in Ireland, is a well-established global aviation group providing an unrivalled array of aviation services. The group of aviation companies includes Irish airline Air Contractors, French-based airline Europe Airpost and a longstanding association and shareholding in South African airline and L-100 Hercules operator, Safair. There are two UK based support service companies in the Group, ACLAS Global and Air Contractors Engineering and also various leasing entities. The Group's operations are worldwide with the airlines operating a mixed fleet of wide body, short haul and turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft under their own brands and for a number of leading airlines. ASL Aviation Group has a staff of 1,200, a fleet of 80 + aircraft and generated a total operating revenue of $500 million USD in 2013. ASL is a joint venture between CMB (51 percent) and 3P Air Freighters (49 percent).

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 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.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company