US government orders 50 more Lockheed Martin C-130Js

The U.S. government ordered 50 more Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on Dec. 30, 2019, through an existing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in August 2016.

The order provides 24 HC/MC-130Js to the U.S. Air Force, 20 KC-130Js for the U.S. Marine Corps, and options for six HC-130Js for the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Department of Defense awarded more than $1.5 billion in funding for the first 21 C-130J aircraft on the multiyear award. The overall award is worth more than $3 billion. Aircraft purchased through the C-130J Multiyear III award will be delivered between 2021 and 2025, and will be built at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Georgia, facility.

"The C-130J Multiyear III award represents a joint commitment between Lockheed Martin and the U.S. government in delivering proven capability that meets our operators' mission and affordability requirements," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. "Our partnership with the U.S. government provides significant savings through multiyear procurement as compared to annual buys."

The Super Hercules worldwide fleet has more than 2 million flight hours and is the airlifter of choice for 20 nations.