C-130 News

C-130 Hercules News

Super Hercules fleet grows with delivery of First C-130J to New Zealand

August 9, 2024 (by Stephanie Stinn) - A new era of tactical airlift capability for New Zealand has officially begun with Lockheed Martin delivering the first of five C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force during a ceremony at the Lockheed Martin's facility in Marietta, Georgia, on August 8th.

Representatives from Lockheed Martin, the New Zealand Embassy to the United States, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, the New Zealand Defence Force and the RNZAF gathered at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics site in Marietta, Georgia, on August 8, 2024, to celebrate the delivery of #NZ7011 the RNZAF's first of five C-130J-30. [Photo by Thinh D. Nguyen]

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) C-130Hs have served as essential first-response resources for New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region for almost six decades. Crews from 40 Squadron located at RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, will operate the new C-130Js, representing one of the most advanced configurations of the Super Hercules ever produced.

"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 RNZAF's new C-130J fleet will continue to support these critical missions while offering New Zealand increased allied alignment, greater reach, enhanced capabilities and proven performance for some of the most demanding tactical airlift operational requirements."

New Zealand officials announced the intent to modernize its fleet of five C-130Hs with five C-130J-30 variants in 2020 via a Foreign Military Sale with the U.S. Air Force. A joint project team with personnel from New Zealand's Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force have worked alongside the U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin to manage the aircraft delivery and training programs.

Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what's next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and shaping the future of tactical airlift missions, offering many advantages found in no other medium-sized tactical airlifter in production or operation today.


Courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation



Additional images:

RNZAF C-130J-30 #NZ7011 first flight on March 28, 2024. [Lockheed Martin Photo by David L. Key]

RNZAF C-130J-30 #NZ7011 first flight on March 28, 2024. [Lockheed Martin Photo by David L. Key]