Lockheed Martin delivered the first upgraded C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifter to the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF).
The RNoAF operates a fleet of four C-130J-30 tactical airlifters received between 2008 and 2012. The Block 8.1 upgrade kit will further augment its capabilities.
“Norway’s C-130J-30 fleet is a national asset with tremendous regional reach and impact, supporting critical missions with NATO, European Union and global Super Hercules partners,” said Danya Trent, Vice President of International Programs for the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin. “As security demands increase, the Royal Norwegian Air Force C-130J-30 fleet must always be prepared to support any mission requirement. The Block 8.1 upgrade ensures the Norway’s Super Hercules fleet is mission-ready at any given time, delivering unprecedented reach, protection and connection.”
The contract involves upgrading four aircraft to the Block 8.1 standard and improving their performance and interoperability across various Nordic regions and beyond mission scenarios. The work will be carried out at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville facility in South Carolina.
The Block 8.1 upgrade features numerous enhancements, including a new flight management system that complies with CNS/ATM mandates and civil GPS, updated Identification Friend or Foe systems, improved inter-communication capabilities, and better approach and landing systems.
Norway’s C-130J-30s serve diverse operational requirements, including personnel and equipment transport, humanitarian aid, aeromedical airlift, Special Operations support, cold weather operations, and disaster relief efforts. As a long-time operator of the Hercules aircraft, the RNoAF was the first Foreign Military Sales participant in the C-130J Super Hercules program.
In July 2023, Australia announced the purchase of 20 C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for USD9.8 billion.