US Air Force adding an order for 32 more C-130J transport aircraft

The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded Lockheed Martin a USD1.1 billion contract for 32 C-130J Hercules turboprop transport aircraft, the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 30 December.

Delivery is expected by April 2020, according to the DoD.

Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with the USAF for a five-year contract to build up to 83 of the aircraft for the USAF, the US Coast Guard, and the US Marine Corps.

C-130Js are able to land on unimproved runways, so they are frequently used for humanitarian relief missions, and special operations missions. They are also able to provide aerial refuelling, close air support, and search-and-rescue capability.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems.