a
World Aviation Defense & Security News - Israel
 
 
Lockheed Martin wins a $55 mn contract from Israel for one C-130J Super Hercules airlifter
 
The US-based defense contractor Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $55,521,060 contract for one C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. The location of performance is Marietta, Georgia, the US Department of Defense announced on its website on Sept. 21.
     
Lockheed Martin wins 55 mn contract from Israel for one130J Super Hercules airlifter 640 001On April 4, 2014, the Israeli Air Force’s first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft left the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility where it was built in Marietta, Ga., for Nevatim Air Base, Israel
(Credit: Lockheed Martin)
     
"This modification is 100 percent unclassified foreign military sales to Israel. The work is expected to be completed by April 30, 2018. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity," the US DoD said.

Israel’s first C-130J Super Hercules airlifter has been delivered on April 2014. Three C-130J Super Hercules – dubbed "Samson" in Israeli service – are already in operational use at Nevatim air base. Each aircraft received Israeli-specific, post-production modifications. The IAF plans to operate a total of six C-130J aircraft.

The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. This upgraded version includes new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprops with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including head-up displays (HUDs) for each pilot), and reduced crew requirements.