Lockheed Martin delivers 2,700th C-130 Hercules

Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 2,700th C-130 Hercules multi-mission tactical airlifter.

This landmark aircraft is a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker operated by the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 at Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Operators in 70 nations around the world fly C-130 airlifters. The current C-130 production model is the C-130J Super Hercules, which includes the KC-130J tactical tanker. To date, the C-130J is certified to support 18 different mission requirements.

"The Lockheed Martin team is honored to deliver this milestone Super Hercules to the U.S. Marine Corps, where it will be part of the largest KC-130J fleet in the world and provide true force amplification across the globe," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business.

The KC-130J is the global standard for tactical tankers, refueling most rotary wing aircraft in operation today and multiple fixed-wing aircraft including the Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II fighter aircraft. With its truly tactical design, the KC-130J can fly at the slow speeds and low altitudes ideal when refueling helicopters.

The Super Hercules is used for tactical airlift missions, including humanitarian operations, around the world. The global C-130J fleet spans 26 operators in 22 nations with 20+ air worthiness certifications. Nearly 3 million flight hours have been logged across the global fleet of 540+ C-130Js.