Tata-Lockheed team deliver 50th C-130J empennage

HYDERABAD, India, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The 50th C-130J Super Hercules empennage assembly has been delivered by a Tata-Lockheed Martin joint venture, Lockheed announced Monday.

The assembly was delivered by the enterprise, known as Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited, from its Hyderabad, India, facility, the company said in a statement.

The venture was established in 2010 and began producing the aircraft's components in late 2011.

Lockheed said the effort follows along the lines of the Indian government's "Make in India" program and has become the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in Marietta, Ga.

Empennage assemblies produced by the facility include the aircraft's horizontal and vertical stabilizers, along with leading edges and tip assemblies.

The team has also manufactured 28 sets of C-130J center wing box components that include the front and rear beam assemblies, formers and trailing edge sections.

The C-130J Super Hercules is the current variant of the C-130.