Lockheed Scores USAF’s $15Bn C-130J Aircraft Modernization Deal

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract valued $15 billion for C-130J modernization.

The deal includes development, integration, retrofit and production activities for all C-130J variants.  This contract provides flexibility to accommodate the broad enterprise of activities associated with the C-130J program, Pentagon said in a release.

Work will be performed in Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed July 16, 2030. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. 

The C-130J Super Hercules is manufactured in four main configurations. The C-130J-30 is the cargo configuration used by air forces worldwide. The KC-130J is a short-body model with an integrated air-to-air refueling system. The C-130J-SOF configuration adds sensors and weapons for an international Special Operations aircraft. The LM-100J (commercial) is the newest configuration: an FAA-certified version of the C-130J-30.