Lockheed Martin has won an order to deliver 24 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the US Air Force (USAF).
The delivery is part of the US Department of Defense’s (DOD) Multiyear III award.
The more than $3bn contract stems from an existing indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) award signed in August 2016.
The initial contract under the IDIQ was for the procurement of 21 C-130J aircraft, worth $1.5bn.
Under the latest award, a total of 50 aircraft will be delivered to the US Government. In addition to the aircraft allotted for the USAF, the award includes 20 KC-130Js for the US Marine Corps and options for six HC-130Js for the US Coast Guard (USCG).
Lockheed Martin Air Mobility & Maritime Mission vice-president and general manager Rod McLean said: “The C-130J multiyear III award represents a joint commitment between Lockheed Martin and the US Government in delivering proven capability that meets our operators’ mission and affordability requirements.
“Our partnership with the US Government provides significant savings through multiyear procurement as compared to annual buys, and provides the best tactical airlifter to crews who fly and support the world’s largest Super Hercules fleet.”
Aircraft purchased through the contract will be built at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility in Georgia, US, and is expected to be delivered between 2021 and 2025.
The C-130J Super Hercules is a proven tactical airlift designed to complete missions at any given time.
This aircraft features Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 engines and six-bladed GE-Dowty Aerospace R391 composite propellers.
The Super Hercules fleet has logged two million flight hours and is used by more than 20 nations around the world.
