Global Super Hercules Fleet Grows with Delivery of First C-130J to New Zealand

The Royal New Zealand Air Force will operate a total of five C-130Js.

The delivery of the RNZAF's first of five C-130J Super Hercules airlifters.
The delivery of the RNZAF's first of five C-130J Super Hercules airlifters.
Lockheed Martin

A new era of tactical airlift capability for New Zealand has officially begun with Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivering the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the New Zealand Ministry of Defense and New Zealand Defense Force during a ceremony at the Lockheed Martin's facility in Marietta, Georgia, on Aug. 8.

For almost six decades, the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) C-130Hs have served as essential first-response resources for New Zealand and the entire Indo-Pacific region. Crews from 40 Squadron located at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, will operate the new C-130Js, representing one of the most advanced configurations of the Super Hercules ever produced.

New Zealand officials announced the intent to modernize its existing fleet of five C-130Hs with five C-130J-30 variants in 2020 via a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. Air Force. A joint project team with personnel from New Zealand's Ministry of Defense and the New Zealand Defense Force have worked alongside the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to manage the aircraft delivery and training programs.

Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what's next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and shaping the future of tactical airlift missions, offering a multitude of advantages found in no other medium-sized tactical airlifter in production or operation today.

These discriminators include proven operational readiness with the greatest ease of transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, certification by more than 20 airworthiness authorities, and enhanced survivability. The C-130J also delivers unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.

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