Lockheed Martin wins $1.5 bn contract to produce 28 C-130J Super Hercules airlifters.

Under this contract, Lockheed Martin will produce i.a. 14 C-130J, five HC-130J and eight MC-130J aircraft.

Production work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2019, the US DoD siad.

The C-130J family is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprops with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including head-up displays (HUDs) for each pilot), and reduced crew requirements. The aircraft can also be configured with the "enhanced cargo handling system".

The MC-130J variant, dubbed Commando II, is designed for US Air Force Special Operations Command. The HC-130J is a long range patrol and air-sea rescue variant for the United States Coast Guard. USAF HC-130J version has changes for in-flight refueling.