Lockheed Martin to Deliver C-130J Training Technology $156 M. Award

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $156,578,150 firm-fixed-price modification contract for three enhanced integrated cockpit systems trainers, four weapons systems trainers, one loadmaster fuselage trainer, five loadmaster part task trainers, and eight enhanced cargo handling systems. These devices are utilized to provide training to aircrews and maintenance crews for the C-130J aircraft.

These training devices will support the missions for Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command, and Air Force Special Operations Command.

The locations of the performance are Tampa, Fla.; Cote de Liesse, Montreal; and Quebec, Canada. Work is to be completed by March 31, 2016.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (LMT) a $156 million contract to provide new training devices to accommodate the growing pipeline of C-130J aircrews and maintainers.

Lockheed Martin will develop 24 new training devices and provide program management and engineering services under the U.S. Air Force's C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System II, referred to as JMATS II. The devices include weapons systems, enhanced integrated cockpit systems, loadmaster fuselage and loadmaster part-task trainers along with enhanced cargo handling system training aids.

"These new devices will support multiple C-130J communities as they receive their new aircraft," said Col. Peter Eide, Simulators Division Chief for Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "High fidelity simulator systems provide safe, affordable training alternatives that can free up critical C-130J resources to fly airlift missions."

"The technology that is available now offers incredible flexibility, realism and networking capabilities for distributed mission operations," said Jim Weitzel, vice president of training solutions in Lockheed Martin's Global Training and Logistics business. "The new integrated cockpit systems trainers, for example, allow both aircrews and maintainers to train on the same device for the first time. We're able to deliver more capability with unprecedented value."

The U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command and Special Operations Command will use the devices for C-130J initial qualification and refresher training. The trainers will be delivered by 2016 to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.; Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.; Moody Air Force Base, Ga.; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The work will be managed at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga. and Orlando, Fla., businesses.

Lockheed Martin has managed the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System since 2000 to provide a comprehensive range of training devices and support services, including aircrew and maintenance personnel instruction, program operations and engineering services. In August 2011, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin the first phase of the JMATS II program to provide weapons systems training devices.


Source: U.S Department of Defense & ORLANDO, Fla. - Lockheed Martin News; issued April 30, 2012

Photo: The US Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules (Photo by Matt Ottsen / February 14, 2009 in Williams Gateway Airport, AZ, US )

146th Airlift Wing - Channel Islands ANG Station - NAS Point Mugu

The United States Air Force's 146th Airlift Wing is a unit located at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.

The 146th AW's primary mission is to provide global military airlift capability to a full spectrum of state and federal agencies. Flying the Lockheed C-130J Hercules aircraft, the 146th has provided humanitarian relief in the aftermath of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters, in California, the United States and internationally.

The 146th is one of four C-130 ANG units whose contribution to the United States' aerial fire fighting capability includes equipment and techniques for efficient, effective suppression of large wildland fires from the air. Since 1974, using the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) units supplied by the US Forest Service and mounted in four C-130s, the wing’s aerial fire fighting crews have been credited with saving many lives and countless millions of dollars worth of structures, forests, and brush land in California and other states and countries.

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. During more than 50 years of service the family has participated in military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. The Hercules has also outlived several planned successor designs, most notably the Advanced Medium STOL Transport contestants.

(30.04.2012)