Tata-Lockheed Martin Joint Venture Delivers 50th C-130J Super Hercules Empennage

A Tata-Lockheed Martin Joint Venture has delivered 50th C-130J Super Hercules Empennage.

TLMAL, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin Aeroframe Corporation, was established in 2010 and it began  production of C-130J Super Hercules airframe components beginning in late 2011.

Apart from exemplifying India's "Make in India" objectives, TLMAL is also the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the USA.

Empennage assemblies produced by TLMAL, include the aircraft's horizontal and vertical stabilizers along with major edges and tip assemblies.

The TLMAL team also has manufactured 28 sets of C-130J center wing box components that include the front and rear beam assemblies, formers and trailing edge sections.

The joint venture has been a great example of successful US, India Industrial partnership and a testimony to Lockheed Martin's and Tata's intent of developing aerospace manufacturing in India," said S. Ramadorai, TASL chairman.

The C-130J Super Hercules is the current variant of the C-130 Hercules, which has been in production for more than 60 years.

Currently, the Indian Air Force operates a fleet of five C-130J-30s and has ordered an additional six Super Hercules.