MARIETTA, Ga., April 5 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has delivered a C-130J Super Hercules to Tunisia, the first African country to receive the latest model of the airlifter.
The plane delivered was a "stretched" variant. Another Super Hercules is to be delivered until a 2010 contract, which also provides for training and three years of logistics support.
The Tunisian air force operates a fleet of C-130Hs and C-130Bs.
"Again we see a nation recapitalizing its airlift resources with the proven, unequaled C-130J," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager of C-130 programs at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.
"Throughout aviation history, no aircraft, either developed or under development, can match the flexibility of the C-130 Hercules.
"Fifteen countries have already selected the C-130J to meet their airlift requirements. Be it recapitalization of existing fleets or new operators seeking proven airlift performance and capability, the C-130J is the low-risk, affordable solution."
Lockheed said other countries that operate or have ordered the Super Hercules, in addition to the United States, are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Britain, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, South Korea and Qatar.
