Mon, Aug 22, 2016
First Flight Of Commercial Version Of The C-130J Expected Next Year
The first LM-100J commercial freighter continues to make significant progress, reaching major production milestones at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, GA.
The LM-100J is the commercial version of Lockheed Martin's proven C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The LM-100J will perform as a commercial, multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient cargo transport.
Recent production accomplishments include the completion of the aircraft wings; delivery of the empennage, manufactured by the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd. (TLMAL) joint venture in India; commencement of cabtop construction; and the arrival of the LM-100J's cargo deck, manufactured at Lockheed Martin's facility in Meridian, Mississippi.
"As this first LM-100J Super Hercules freighter progresses in production, so does a new era in commercial aircraft operations," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. "Our existing L-100 operators have repeatedly shared with us that the only replacement for a Herc is a Super Herc,and we are proud to meet this demand with the LM-100J. There is a significant global requirement for commercial freight operations to support operations in more austere areas. The LM-100J will not only meet these demands, but exceed them by delivering new and unmatched capabilities to the commercial marketspace by transporting cargo on any runway, anywhere, all the time."
The first LM-100J will progress through final production phases over the next few months, with an anticipated first flight in the first half of 2017.
The LM-100J incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100s that have resulted from years of military C-130J operational experience -- including more than 1.3 million flight hours. The result of this experience and advancement translates to an aircraft that will deliver reliable service in a multi-role platform for decades to come.
(Source: Lockheed Martin news release. Images from file)
More News
Inversion to Launch Reentry Vehicle Demonstrator Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 This fall, the aerospace startup Inversion is set to launch its Ray reentry demonstrator capsule aboard Spac>[...]
"We are excited to accelerate the adoption of electric aviation technology and further our journey towards a sustainable future. The agreement with magniX underscores our commitmen>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
Aero Linx: OX5 Aviation Pioneers Each year a national reunion of OX5 Aviation Pioneers is hosted by one of the Wings in the organization. The reunions attract much attention as man>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]