ASL agrees to buy 10 civilian Hercules models from Lockheed Martin

Farnborough, England – ASL Aviation Group has signed a Letter of Intent with Lockheed Martin to order up to 10 LM-100J commercial freighters. The LM-100J is the civil-certified version of Lockheed Martin's 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," says Hugh Flynn, CEO, 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."

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," says 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. "

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 fleet-wide flight hours.

Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company