Lockheed Martin has delivered the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) first C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in Marietta, Georgia.
The handover is part of a 1.5-billion New Zealand dollar ($902.3 million) program signed through a US foreign military sale to replace the service’s C-130H fleet, operational since the 1960s.
Wellington will receive five new cargo planes, corresponding flight simulators, and supporting capabilities.
Once operational, the C-130Js will be supervised by 40 Squadron at the RNZAF Base in Auckland and take over roles of the older aircraft across the country and parts of the Indo-Pacific region.
“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,” Lockheed Martin Air Mobility & Maritime Missions VP and General Manager Rod McLean stated.
“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.”
New Zealand’s Modern Air Transport Fleet
The shipment of RNZAF’s initial C-130J followed Lockheed’s completion of the aircraft’s maiden flight in the US earlier this year.
The trial was held between the states of Georgia and Alabama, with the plane completing about 990 kilometers (615.1 miles) at a height of 10,500 feet (3,200 meters).
Last year, the construction phase of associated Super Hercules pilot training platforms was initiated in Montreal, Canada.
In 2022, Lockheed accepted a $38-million contract to deliver another simulator to future C-30J aircrew with the aircraft’s weapon systems.
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence signed the contract to procure the RNZAF’s five C-130Js in 2020.
The Lockheed Martin C-130J
The C-130J Super Hercules measures 97.9 feet (29.8 meters) long, has a cargo bay length of 41 feet (12.4 meters), and a wingspan of 132.7 feet (40.4 meters).
It has a capacity of about 90 people or payloads weighing up to 42,000 pounds (19,051 kilograms).
The aircraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop engines with 4,637 horsepower each and six-bladed propellers for a maximum speed of 362 knots (670 kilometers/416.5 miles per hour), a range of 1,800 nautical miles (3,334 kilometers), and an operational altitude of up to 40,386 feet (12,309 meters).
