New Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft bought by Israel
Posted by John McHale
MARIETTA, Ga., 30 April 2011. Israel purchased a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin under as foreign military sale through the U.S. government. the U.S. government also approved funding for advanced procurement items for a third aircraft.
Israel's aircraft are being modified during production with non-developmental items, which include an Enhanced Service Life center wing, two embedded global positioning systems and a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation aerial refueling system.
Israel ordered its first C-130J in April 2010 and will receive that aircraft in spring 2013. The next two aircraft will be delivered in late 2013 and late 2014 respectively. The contract also covers a number of items to meet Israel’s unique operational requirements. The Israeli air force's new Super Hercules are the longer fuselage or stretched variant of the C-130J.
"We are providing Israel with the most flexible and capable airlifter in the world as that country continues to expand its advanced airlift fleet. The multi-role and multi-mission capability and performance of the C-130J are ideally suited to the unique requirements of the Israeli Air Force," says Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice president of business development for Air Mobility.
