New Zealand receives first C-130J
THE Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has taken delivery of the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters from Lockheed Martin. The aircraft was handed over to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) delegation at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta production line in Georgia.
Conducting its maiden flight earlier in April, the NZ government stated that “the second Hercules is not far behind the first on the Lockheed Martin factory floor and will undergo its first test flight once it emerges from the paint shop. Construction of a life-sized flight simulator is also on track for delivery to RNZAF Base Auckland in 2025,”
The aircraft is part of a US$600 million deal by the RNZAF in 2020 for five aircraft to replace their fleet of C-130Hs which have served for over five decades. Crews from the RNZAF’s 40 Squadron based in Auckland, Whenuapai will operate the new C-130Js.
Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility & Maritime Missions vice president and general manager Rod McLean said, “from supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations to partnering with allies in military operations, New Zealand’s C-130s are truly a global force for good. The RNZAF’s new C-130J fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements.”-shp/adj/dl (Pix:LOCKHEED MARTIN)
