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The first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlift aircraft has been delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force.
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The Lockheed Martin tactical airlift capability was celebrated with an official ceremony at the company’s facility in Marietta, Georgia, on 8 August.
Crews from 40 Squadron located at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, will operate the new C-130Js, representing one of the most advanced configurations of the Super Hercules ever produced.
For almost six decades, the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s C-130Hs have served as essential first-response resources for New Zealand and the entire 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,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business.
“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 officials announced the intent to modernise its existing fleet of five C-130Hs with five C-130J-30 variants in 2020 via a foreign military sale with the US Air Force.
A joint project team with personnel from New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force have worked alongside the US Air Force and Lockheed Martin to manage the aircraft delivery and training programs.
Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what’s next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and shaping the future of tactical airlift missions, offering a multitude of advantages found in no other medium-sized tactical airlifter in production or operation today.
These discriminators include proven operational readiness with the greatest ease of transition, increased reliability, superior tactical airlift and combat airdrop capabilities, certification by more than 20 airworthiness authorities, and enhanced survivability.
The C-130J also delivers unmatched interoperability with NATO and global air forces, robust industrial partnerships and verified low life-cycle costs with significant fuel savings, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet airlifters.
Earlier this month, the New Zealand Defence Force also announced that the Royal New Zealand Navy ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, had successfully replenished its largest ship since commissioning four years ago.
Providing fuel for both the ship and aircraft on board, a total of 3,350,000 litres of fuel was transferred to USS Boxer, a US Navy amphibious assault ship on an operational deployment. The replenishment took place south of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Commanding Officer of HMNZS Aotearoa, Commander Rob Welford, said the replenishment at sea took 8.5 hours, making this the ship’s longest replenishment.
“This was no simple task, but our crew carried this out with the care and attention needed over a sustained period of time.
“This is what our crew trains for, and is a testament of the interoperability the Royal New Zealand Navy conducts with partners as we continue to work together,” Commander Welford said.
HMNZS Aotearoa is currently on Operation Crucible, a reoccurring Navy deployment to carry out international military exercises, operations and engagements.
