Lockheed Martin proudly announced at the Farnborough International Airshow that the worldwide C-130J Super Hercules fleet has recently surpassed 3 million flight hours. With 545+ Super Hercules delivered worldwide, this achievement reflects the C-130J's unparalleled global reach, multi-mission versatility, and proven tactical performance capabilities.
Operators and crews from 21 nations contributed to this achievement, logging hours through 18 different mission requirements, including combat, transport, aerial refuelling, special operations, medevac, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, weather reconnaissance, firefighting, and commercial freight delivery.
"From the highest landing strip in the world to the snow-packed runways of Antarctica and all the many mission locations in between, these 3 million hours represent the proven power and wide-reaching presence of the C-130J's global fleet," said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. "In celebrating this achievement, we also honour the many crew members, maintainers and airlift partners who truly keep the global Super Hercules fleet ready for any and every mission requirement."
These hours were logged beginning with the C-130J's first flight on April 5, 1996, through the beginning of July 2024. Countries with C-130Js contributing to these flight hours include (in order of delivery) the United Kingdom, United States (the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; Pallas Aviation), Australia, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Canada, India, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Tunisia, Israel, Kuwait, South Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, France, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Germany.
The number of flight hours is also boosted by the efforts of the Lockheed Martin Flight Operations team. Their crews are the first to fly every C-130J produced. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force Defense Contract Management Agency crews support C-130J test flights at Lockheed Martin's Aeronautics site in Marietta, Georgia, which is the home of the Super Hercules production line.
Super Hercules variants used to log these hours include C-130J and C-130J-30 (tactical airlifter), KC-130J (tanker), WC-130J (weather reconnaissance), EC-130J (information operations), MC-130J (Special Operations), HC-130J (search and rescue, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard variants), AC-130J (gunship) and LM-100J (commercial freighter).
The Super Hercules has flown for many hours on test, training, and operational missions across all seven continents. It is always evolving, innovating, and ready for what's next. The aircraft sets standards and shapes the future of tactical airlift missions, offering numerous advantages that are not found in any other medium-sized tactical airlifter currently in production or operation.
The C-130J comes with proven operational readiness that allows for an easy transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, certification by more than 20 airworthiness authorities, and excellent engine-out performance with extended range. It also provides unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships, and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.
Comments