The Department of Defence announced its intent to “replace and expand” its fleet of C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters in November 2022. According to Defence, “the C-130J-30 represents the only option that meets all of Australia’s capability requirements and will be the only option that Defence will progress for Government approval under Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 in 2023.”
“Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand stands ready to support a potential decision by the Australian government to acquire a new and expanded fleet of C-130J aircraft,” said Warren McDonald, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive. “We are immensely proud of our very long-standing C-130 partnership with Australia. We welcome the opportunity to supply and sustain a larger fleet of the world’s most capable and proven battlefield airlifters.”
There are more than 520 C-130Js in worldwide service, with more than 2.5 million mission success hours, often in the most arduous operational environments facing Australia and the world.
The C-130J is the longest continuously deployed aircraft type in the more than 100 year history of the Royal Australian Air Force. From being first on the scene to deliver natural disaster support to operating in partnership with allies across the vast Indo-Pacific region, RAAF Super Hercules are ready to meet any mission requirement — no matter the location. If approved, RAAF crews would continue to rely on the new C-130J-30s to support its most critical missions, while also exploring new ways to use this unmatched airlifter in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.
Aligned with the potential acquisition of a new and expanded fleet of C-130Js, Lockheed Martin Australia is also fully committed to a long-term sustainment partnership for these new aircraft.
“The world’s most capable battlefield airlifter requires a proven sustainment solution to match,” McDonald said. “For almost 14 years, Lockheed Martin has teamed with Airbus Australia Pacific and alongside Standard Aero Limited, Rolls-Royce, Dowty, CAE and a broader industry team to provide unparalleled levels of operational support and customer satisfaction for the RAAF C-130J fleet.”
Lockheed Martin Australia intends to continue its successful relationships with Airbus, Standard Aero Limited, Rolls-Royce, Dowty and CAE in the sustainment of the new and expanded C-130J fleet. This C-130J industrial team brings proven experience, performance and provides the opportunity to grow and expand sovereign industrial capability to support the new C-130J fleet.
“With more than 100 C-130Js now operating in the Indo-Pacific, we foresee significant opportunity to leverage Lockheed Martin’s direct connection with regional and global programs to establish Australia as a regional C-130 sustainment hub,”
McDonald said. “Our collective Super Hercules expertise brings hundreds of long-term high-tech roles to Australian industry and deepens sovereign industry resilience, agility and responsiveness to RAAF C-130J capability needs.”
