US defense contractor Lockheed Martin said Tuesday it has been awarded a foreign military sales contract to deliver advanced C-130J training devices and upgrades to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), as Canberra prepares to expand its tactical airlift fleet.

The company announced on February 18 that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the United States issued the contract. Deliveries of the training systems are scheduled to begin in 2029.

The package includes two Weapon Systems Trainers, an Enhanced Integrated Cockpit Systems Trainer (EICS), a Loadmaster Part-Task Trainer, and upgrades to the RAAF’s existing Virtual Simulation and Virtual Maintenance Trainers. Lockheed Martin said the systems are designed to expand training capacity and align with Australia’s planned acquisition of additional C-130J-30 aircraft.

“We’re honored to continue our long-standing partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force to enhance and expand their training capabilities,” said Todd Morar, vice president of Air and Commercial Systems at Lockheed Martin. He added that, as the original equipment manufacturer of the C-130J, the company is able to provide “authentic, mission-ready training tools” based on its knowledge of the aircraft and operational flight program.

According to the company, the new devices will feature updated graphics, motion cueing, and high-fidelity cockpit replication intended to mirror the operational environment of the C-130J. The company also designed the systems to align with the RAAF's upcoming C-130J-30 acquisitions, allowing for the introduction of new capabilities in tandem with aircraft deliveries.

Australia currently operates 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft. Under a 2022 Foreign Military Sale agreement, the United States approved the potential sale of up to 24 additional C-130J-30 airlifters to Australia. Canberra announced in July 2023 that it would replace and expand its current fleet with 20 new aircraft. Expected to arrive in 2028, the first of the new aircraft will support operations at RAAF Base Richmond, home to No. 37 Squadron. 37 Squadron.

Peter Ashworth, director of Global Training Systems at Lockheed Martin Australia, said the company’s focus is on preparing a “mission-ready future force” using technologies aimed at reducing risk, cost, and timelines while enhancing operational capability.

Tactical airlift missions, such as troop transport, cargo delivery, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, widely utilize the C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft is operated by 28 operators in 25 nations, with more than 560 units delivered and the global fleet surpassing three million flight hours, according to Lockheed Martin.

The new training systems are expected to support Australia’s expanded fleet by enabling crews and support personnel to train in simulated environments, potentially reducing the need for live-flight training hours while maintaining operational readiness as the additional aircraft enter service.

Photo: Lockheed Martin Press Release