Lockheed touts C-130 milestone

MARIETTA, Ga., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- It's been nearly 60 years since the first Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules took to the air and production of the U.S. aircraft is going strong.

Lockheed announced Tuesday that it has produced and delivered the 2,400th Hercules -- an MC-130J Combat Shadow II -- to the U.S. Air Force for use by its Special Operations Command.

"As we start a new year it is only fitting that the C-130 breaks yet another record and sets a new milestone," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs.

"The C-130 is the benchmark for airlift around the world and we look forward to this year being another year of excellence for our world-wide customers."

A total of 33 C-130Js in six configurations were delivered from Lockheed's facility in Marietta, Ga., last year for U.S. and foreign militaries. Among them were the Air Force's Special Operations Command and Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Marine Corps.

The armed forces of Qatar, Canada and India also received aircraft.

Production of C-130Js is under way for South Korea, Oman, Tunisia, Israel and Kuwait.