Lockheed Martin has been awarded a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract to deliver advanced C-130J training systems to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), supporting the service’s planned expansion of its Super Hercules fleet later this decade.
The contract, issued through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, will see Lockheed Martin provide a suite of training devices beginning in 2029. The package includes two Weapon Systems Trainers, an Enhanced Integrated Cockpit Systems Trainer (EICS), a Loadmaster Part-Task Trainer, and upgrades to the RAAF’s existing Virtual Simulation and Virtual Maintenance Trainers.
The delivery timeline aligns with Australia’s incoming fleet of C-130J-30 aircraft. Canberra formally approved the acquisition of 20 additional C-130J-30 airlifters in 2023, replacing and expanding its current fleet of 12 aircraft operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond. The first of the new aircraft is expected to arrive in 2028.
The training devices are designed to mirror the operational C-130J configuration, incorporating updated flight software, cockpit replication, motion cueing and high-fidelity visual systems. Lockheed Martin says the systems are being built for concurrency with the incoming aircraft, enabling aircrew and maintenance personnel to train on configurations that match the evolving fleet.
As original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the C-130J, Lockheed Martin is positioning its aircraft knowledge and access to the operational flight program as a differentiator in delivering training fidelity. The company has supplied similar training systems to other C-130J operators globally.
For the RAAF, expanded simulation capacity will be essential as the fleet nearly triples in size. Increased aircraft numbers require parallel growth in pilot conversion, loadmaster qualification, and maintenance training pipelines. High-end simulation systems can reduce live-flight training costs while maintaining proficiency, particularly for complex mission scenarios and emergency procedures.
Australia has operated variants of the Hercules since 1958, making it one of the platform’s longest-serving operators. The C-130J remains widely used for tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, aeromedical evacuation and special operations support. Globally, more than 560 C-130Js have been delivered to 28 operators across 23 nations, accumulating over 3 million flight hours.
While the contract value has not been disclosed, the award reflects continued investment in Australia’s air mobility capabilities under its broader defence modernisation program. Beyond aircraft procurement, sustainment and training infrastructure are increasingly recognised as critical enablers of operational readiness.
With deliveries commencing in 2029, the training systems are expected to come online as the expanded fleet reaches operational maturity, reinforcing Australia’s tactical airlift capacity amid heightened regional security demands.
