What is the LM-100J plane?

Feb. 14, 2017
The Lockheed Martin LM-100J is civil multi-purpose air freighter designed to deliver bulk and oversize cargo particularly to austere locations worldwide. The new airlift solution incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100 Hercules plane, the civilian variant of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft.  

The Lockheed Martin LM-100J is civil multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient transport of cargo, officials say. The LM-100J airlift solution, designed to deliver bulk and oversize cargo particularly to austere locations worldwide, incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100 Hercules plane, the civilian variant of the C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft. Years of C-130J operational experience, including more than 1.2 million fleet-wide flight hours, and technological advancement translates to an aircraft that delivers reliable service in a versatile airframe for decades to come, according to Lockheed Martin officials.

The first LM-100J, which began production in April 2016 and rolled off the manufacturing line in February 2017, reached major production assembly milestones at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics sites in Marietta, Georgia; Meridian, Mississippi; and Clarksburg, West Virginia. Wing production took place in Marietta, home to the C-130J Super Hercules final assembly line. Other structural parts were produced at Lockheed Martin Meridian and Clarksburg facilities.

The LM-100J's versatile airframe enables it to support a variety of tasks. Multiple roll-on/roll-off configurations are available to expand the airplane's capabilities.

Typical roles include:

Oversized cargo transport

Oil dispersion/aerial spray

Oil and gas exploration

Mining logistics operations

Aerial firefighting

Aerial delivery

Medevac/air ambulance

Humanitarian relief operations

VIP and personnel transport

Austere field operations

Search and rescue

Based on the operational C-130J, the civil variant LM-100J can operate from short, unprepared airfields without ground support equipment. It requires minimal material handling equipment and enables rapid onload and offload at truck-bed height. Growth provisions built into the LM-100J will enable it to support a variety of future missions including aerial spray, aerial firefighting and delivery, medevac/air ambulance, humanitarian aid, and VIP transport.

More than 100 L-100s, which were the commercial variant of the first generation C-130, were produced from 1964-1992 at the then Lockheed-Georgia Co., Marietta, Georgia, facility. Many of those airlifters are still operated worldwide by commercial and government customers.

Modern two-pilot cockpit

CNS/ATM compliant integrated digital avionics

Integrated Head-Up Display

New engines and propellers

More power in high field elevations/hot temperatures

Increased block speed

Reduced fuel consumption

Increased gross weight/payload

Automated maintenance and fault reporting

Reduced maintenance per flight hour

Superior dispatch reliability

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    Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace

    Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.

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