FARNBOROUGH, England, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) officials today briefed reporters attending the Farnborough
International Air Show on how the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft
is both delivering capability to meet modern threats and is an active
participant in crisis relief operations around the world. Company officials
also described how the C-130J's flexibility and multimission capability can
help air forces meet short and long-term emerging requirements.
"The C-130J Super Hercules is a critical, integral part of airlift
around the world," said Ross Reynolds, air mobility vice president at
Lockheed Martin. "Whether it is engaged in combat, peacekeeping or
humanitarian and disaster relief operations, the C-130J is proving itself
on a daily basis. Worldwide, C-130Js have been involved in combat
operations now for four years conducting re-supply and troop deployment
missions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan."
In May, U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J tankers set a new monthly record for
tons of fuel offloaded, tons of cargo moved and passengers carried. The
Royal Air Force has been the pathfinder in many operations by having the
first J- model in combat, the first paratroop drops and the first re-supply
operations in Afghanistan. An RAF C-130J was the first aircraft to fly into
the reopened Baghdad International Airport in 2003.
Italy has a new deployment location at Herat in western Afghanistan and
is setting records for numbers of flight hours -- more than 10,000 per
year. Italy's C-130Js have become a common sight around the world where
relief and humanitarian support is needed. Australia is often the first to
respond when a disaster or terrorist action strikes. Whether in Bali or
Thailand, the ability of the Australian C-130J fleet to be on hand for
evacuation of victims and the delivery of supplies is becoming well known.
Denmark -- the newest C-130J operator -- has lost no time in deploying its
aircraft around the world. They are now a common sight in and out of
Afghanistan and locations on every continent.
"It seems like almost every month we are seeing new opportunities for
the C-130J," Reynolds said. "We believe the J is the right choice for the
new U.S. Army and Air Force Joint Cargo Aircraft. We think the J is the
obvious replacement for a fleet of very old U.S. Special Operations
platforms. There are numerous countries around the world that urgently need
to replace worn out thirty or forty-year-old legacy C-130s. And finally,
because today's threats are often operating in remote locations with no
structured airfields, there is a growing demand for rugged tactical
airlift. The C-130J is capable of global response for any mission, anywhere
at any time."
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is celebrating 40 years of C-130 operations
this year. The RAF recently let a contract for Hercules Integrated
Operational Support that will ensure that the United Kingdom's C-130Ks and
Js are maintained at a high level of readiness as the country continues its
high tempo operations around the world. A total of 182 C-130Js are on
order, and 139 have been delivered to date.
The worldwide C-130J fleet has accumulated over one quarter of a
million flight hours in combat delivery, aerial delivery, air-to-air and
ground refueling, and humanitarian relief operations.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005
sales of $37.2 billion.
For additional information, visit our Website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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CONTACT:
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Polidore, +01-817-308-5553, or mary.jo.polidore@lmco.com , or
Catherine Blades, +01-817-907-5532, or
catherine.h.blades@lmco.com , or David Jewell, +01-817-366-2558,
or david.m.jewell@lmco.com , or Peter Simmons, +1-770-494-6208,
or cell, +1-678-662-4747, or peter.e.simmons@lmco.com , all of
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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