The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is the most advanced airlifter ever built. The C‑130J combines the latest in aerospace technology with a proven, rugged airframe design. The result is an aircraft that gives an operator more capability with greater operational efficiency than any other airlifter.
To meet the demands of the new economic environment, while still providing unmatched tactical airlift capability, Lockheed Martin has launched at the Singapore Airshow the C-130XJ. The C‑130XJ, X referring to expandable, has at its heart the proven and highly successful C-130J program.
The C-130XJ is being offered across international markets to those operators that do not require all of enhanced capabilities inherent in C-130J. As such, it will have a significantly lower price. Despite this it will have growth capability, post delivery, in many mission areas. The only exception will be those items that have to be part of the initial build such as the Enhanced Cargo Handling System.
The C-130XJ will be especially attractive in two main areas – the special mission market that utilize roll on/roll off mission packages and those countries or operators that primarily use their airlift aircraft for low threat air/land movement of troops and equipment
The C-130XJ has been carefully tailored to provide the very best the proven C-130J model has to offer in air/land movement of personnel and equipment and delivery of humanitarian relief and aero medical evacuation. The C-130XJ retains all the provisions necessary to fully configure the aircraft for combat operations should the need arise.
The C-130XJ retains the current C-130J propulsion and avionics suite, and there are no changes to the current C-130J airframe design. The primary airframe focus is on the short body C-130J, but the XJ solution could be offered for the C-130J-30 stretch version if requested.
The C-130XJ will be have the capability to fly the same full spectrum of missions that the C-130 has always flown which includes compatibility with a wide range of roll-on/roll-off special mission packages that enable the aircraft to perform search and rescue, fire fighting, surveillance and reconnaissance, signals intelligence and close air support missions.
The C-130XJ design is established and is already generating interest and requests from around the world.
