Lockheed Martin awarded contract for Kuwait Air Force KC-130J tankers

Lockheed Martin has received a $245 million contract from the U.S. Government for the Foreign Military Sale of three KC-130J tanker aircraft to Kuwait. The program will be managed by the U.S. Navy. The Kuwait Air Forces new KC-130Js will provide aerial refueling for its F18 fleet and augment its current airlift fleet of three Lockheed Martin L-100s. Kuwait KC-130Js also will perform air mobility, disaster relief and humanitarian missions throughout the world. We are proud to add yet another country to the growing worldwide C-130J community, said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 business development. The combination of tanking and airlift missions yet again shows the tremendous versatility of this proven aircraft. KC-130Js have been used in high-tempo operations for the last five years and will provide Kuwait with an effective, efficient and reliable multi-mission capability. Kuwait first KC-130J delivery is scheduled for late 2013, with deliveries completed in early 2014. Using only wing and external tanks, the KC-130J has a 57,500 pound fuel offload capability. The KC130J is configured to accept a fuselage tank, adding another 24,392 pounds of available fuel. The standard probe-and-drogue configuration of the KC 130J is suited for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. In addition to aerial and ground refueling, the KC-130J has the same airlift capability as non-tanker variants including airdrop and paradrop.