C-130J Production Looking Up

Lockheed is planning on doubling production of the C-130J transport aircraft over the next few years. Demand for the aircraft from overseas customers has increased. The U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps also buy several aircraft a year as they upgrade their fleets of C-130E and C-130H and the program has garnered strong Congressional support.

Several of the Gulf States have placed orders and others are negotiating deals. The delays to the competing A400M made by EADS has also opened up some market opportunities as countries wanting that aircraft have had to wait several more months then originally planned. South Africa has already canceled their planned buy of the European transport. There really is no other aircraft in the class as most other aircraft are smaller or much larger such as the C-27 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) or the C-17. Lockheed is obviously confident that the success of the program will continue if they are willing to make a commitment such as this.

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