Article Posted on : - Apr 18, 2010

C-130J Super Hercules. Photo: Lockheed Martin

TEXAS (BNS): U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff has delivered first of 28 Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess Air Force Base.

"The delivery of this C-130J and others like it is a step toward modernising our airlift inventories, we’ll continue to make progress in this area over the next few years,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said in an Air Forse official new release.

The 317th Airlift Group will replace its existing Dyess fleet of 33 aging C-130 from the newly developed aircraft C-130J

Lockheed will complete the final delieveries of C-130J Super Hercules fleet by 2012.

"We are seeing more and more that when the time comes to replace aging C-130 fleets, or establish new fleets, the choice is made to acquire the Super Hercules. There is no other airlifter that has the capability, flexibility and proven track record of the C-130J, “said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs in the release.

“From airlift recapitalization in the U.S., to the growing list of countries selecting the C-130J, this aircraft has the capability to meet whatever operational challenges the future holds," he added.

C-130J Super Hercules is the world's most advanced tactical airlifter, with the range and flexibility for emerging theaters and evolving concepts of operation.