Lockheed Martin handed over the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the Georgia Air National Guard on January 22, 2024.
The aircraft, tail number 5975, was delivered to the 165th Airlift Wing, based in Savannah, Georgia, which has been operating Hercules aircraft since 1975. In total, eight aircraft will be delivered to the Georgia Air National Guard.
“Today’s delivery of a C-130J-30 Super Hercules means our brave servicemembers will now fly the most advanced Hercules aircraft in history, proudly built right here in the State of Georgia at Lockheed Martin’s historic Marietta manufacturing facility,” Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said.
The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is a stretched version of the C-130J, which offers an additional 15 feet of cargo space. The aircraft delivered is the first to be built in the Block 8.1 standard, featuring a new flight management system, upgraded navigation and inter-communication systems, and a revamped friend-or-foe identification system.
The C-130J is flown by 26 operators in 22 nations globally. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 530 C-130J Super Hercules in 18 mission variants.