The Royal Norwegian Air Force has taken delivery of its fourth and final C-130J Super Hercules as part of a foreign military sales agreement with the US Air Force.

Under the $519m agreement, the USAF has provided four C-130J aircraft, spare parts, technical publications and training to the Norwegian Air Force.

The improved C-130J will include the latest technology to reduce manpower requirements, lower operating and support costs and provide life-cycle cost savings.

The new aircraft can climb faster, higher and farther at a higher cruise speed, and take-off and land in a shorter distance.

The aircraft is also equipped with an additional 15ft of fuselage to increase usable space in the cargo compartment.

The C-130J will include an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics, colour multi-functional liquid crystal displays and head-up displays.

It will include advanced navigation systems with dual inertial navigation system and global positioning system, fully integrated defensive systems, low-power colour radar and digital moving map display.

New turboprop engines with six-bladed composite propellers, digital auto pilot, improved fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems, and an enhanced cargo-handling system are also included in the C-130J.