The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) takes delivery of its first C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter on August 8.
The delivery ceremony took place at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia facility.
New Zealand has signed an agreement to receive five turboprops in 2020 that will replace aging C-130Hs currently in service.
“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 & Maritime Missions line of business.
The five aircraft will be based at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, and crew members from 40 Squadron have been receiving training from the manufacturer in recent months.
The RNZAF’s first C-130J rolled out of the paint shop in February and has been prepared for delivery ever since. A second aircraft was nearing completion at the time and is expected to be completed soon.
The C-130J-30 variant has a 4.5 meter longer fuselage and can accommodate up to 21 tons of payload.
According to the New Zealand government, the C-130J will be used in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and deployment of personnel and equipment both within New Zealand and overseas.
The Air Force will also have a flight simulator installed in Auckland.
