Some 800 People Expected To Attend The Lockheed Martin Sponsored Event

The 23rd Annual Hercules Operator's Conference was held this week at Lockheed Martin's facility in Marietta, GA. About 800 representatives from 34 nations – as well as 90 supplier companies – focused on C-130 Hercules support, operations, upgrades and new fleet acquisition.

This year's theme of "Relevance and Affordability" provides insight into how the C-130 Hercules, the world's benchmark for airlift, can meet the needs of multiple operators from a single proven, affordable baseline. "As C-130 production continues at a high rate, Lockheed Martin seeks additional ways to keep all C-130 models viable through cost-effective modifications and upgrades," said John Cottam, Lockheed Martin director of C-130 International Operations, during the conference's opening ceremony. "We know that the C-130 will be here for decades to come and we want to make sure we support all airframes according to our operators' needs. There is nothing like a Hercules and nothing that can replace a Hercules. Some have tried and some are still trying, but the reality is that the aircraft's concept, design and proven capabilities have been, and still are, the standard for airlift throughout modern history."

The C-130J program continues to deliver new capability to new countries and existing operators. India and Qatar have joined the global C-130 operator family, while the U.S. Air Force recently received HC-130J Personnel Recovery and MC-130J Special Operations aircraft. At the end of this month, Lockheed Martin will roll out the 250th C-130J Super Hercules – an aircraft destined for Dyess AFB, Texas, which will be the world's largest C-130J feet operator with 28 aircraft.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com