The Royal New Zealand Air Force has received the fifth and final C-130J-30 Super Hercules from Lockheed Martin as part of a US foreign military sale to replace the service’s C-130H fleet.
It will be operated by the 40 Squadron at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, where it will be deployed for moving troops and tactical equipment in support of domestic and overseas missions.
Lockheed handed over the first Super Hercules under the 1.5-billion-dollar ($844.2-million) program in August, the second and third in September, and the fourth in November.
“The arrival of the fifth Hercules is a significant milestone for the team, who have been working hard to bring all the aircraft home before Christmas – ahead of schedule, on budget and to specification,” New Zealand Capability Delivery Deputy Secretary Sarah Minson stated.
“From the moment the first C-130J arrived in September, the aircraft have been put to work and are already proving their value as a national asset.”
“They have made a number of successful flights to Antarctica, carrying cargo to support the work of the New Zealand and United States scientific research programmes at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. They have also made multiple flights to deliver mission critical supplies and personnel across New Zealand and the Pacific region.”
The completion of Wellington’s Super Hercules systems will be followed by the delivery of a flight simulator to RNZAF Base Auckland in 2025 that will help the fleet’s aircrew prepare for future transport flights.
Lockheed Martin’s C-130J-30
The C-130J-30 is a stretched version of Lockheed’s C-130J Super Hercules base hull model, adding 15 feet (5 meters) of length compared to its predecessor’s fuselage.
It is powered by four Rolls-Royce engines with about 4,600 horsepower each for a flight speed of 410 miles (660 kilometers) per hour, an altitude of 26,000 feet (7,925 meters), and a range of 2,100 nautical miles (2,417 miles/3,889 kilometers).
The aircraft can carry up to 128 troops or approximately 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms) of payload.
