Canada has signed contract amendments worth $1.15 billion with Lockheed Martin to extend maintenance and upgrade support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CC-130J Hercules fleet.
Canada has signed contract amendments worth $1.15 billion with Lockheed Martin to extend maintenance and upgrade support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CC-130J Hercules fleet.
The first contract covers in-service support for the military cargo aircraft through June 2029 and is valued at $462.5 million. The second funds the integration of RCAF 105 upgrades across the entire fleet and is worth $684.3 million.
The in-service support will continue maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on the aircraft, carried out by Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors at various facilities in Canada and the US, including Trenton, Ontario, creating or maintaining 620 Canadian jobs.
RCAF 105 Upgrades
The RCAF 105 upgrades will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with new technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of air traffic management through updated navigation, communication, flight management, and avionics systems required for civil and military airspace compliance.
The program is expected to support 525 jobs in Canada.
“The CC-130J Hercules is a critical part of the Canadian Armed Forces’ transport fleet,” Canadian Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty said.
“These contract amendments will help ensure the aircraft remains operational and mission-ready for years to come, while supporting skilled jobs and industrial expertise across Canada.”
Canadian CC-130J Hercules
The RCAF operates a fleet of 17 CC-130Js used to move troops, supplies, and equipment across Canada and on international missions in support of a wide range of military and humanitarian operations.
Canada acquired the aircraft under a $1.44-billion contract awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 2007 to replace older Hercules variants.
The J-model, the most advanced in the C-130 family, features turboprop engines, a glass cockpit, and digital avionics that improve range, payload, and reliability.
It can carry up to 21,183 kilograms (46,700 pounds) of payload, has an operational range of 6,852 kilometers (4,257 miles), and can reach speeds of up to 660 kilometers (410 miles) per hour.
