Lockheed Martin reports that it delivered this week two C-130J transport aircraft for South Korea at its manufacturing facility in Georgia.
The two aircraft were built under a 2010 contract for four planes. Their delivery makes the Republic of Korea the 14th country to fly the newest C-130 model.
“For almost three decades, Republic of Korea Air Force crews have relied on C-130s to support humanitarian and peacekeeping missions in the Pacific Rim region,” said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of C-130 Programs “The arrival of South Korea’s new Super Hercules fleet ensures that these critical missions not only will continue, but extend for many more decades the added capabilities only the C-130J can provide.
“Lockheed Martin values its longtime partnership with South Korea and we are honored to welcome it to the Super Hercules family.”
The C-130Js for the Republic of Korea’s air force is the longer fuselage, or “stretched,” combat delivery variant and will be handed over to the South Korea Air Force next month. The last two aircraft ordered are expected to be delivered in June.
Korea currently operates a dozen C-130H aircraft.
Lockheed said it is to provide support -- including training of aircrew and maintenance personnel -- for the new aircraft over a two-year period under a separate contract.
