Israel Takes Delivery Of Its First C-130J Super Hercules

Lockheed Martin yesterday delivered Israel's first C-130J Super Hercules airlifter during a ceremony at the aeronautics company's production facility in Marietta, Ga.

This is first of three C-130Js currently on order for the Israeli Air Force (IAF), which has operated legacy C-130s since 1971.

The IAF has bestowed the nickname "Shimshon" on its C-130Js.

"Israel's new C-130J builds on the tradition of its predecessors and offers the IAF unique capabilities that are not only proven, but without equal," says George Shultz, vice president and general manager, C-130 programs at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. "With its glass cockpit and modern digital avionics, the C-130J has proven it performs in all environments: hot, cold, dirt, and sand. Shimshon will serve the IAF as the C-130 always has - anywhere, anytime."

Israel ordered its C-130Js through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract with the U.S. Government. Upon delivery, this aircraft will move into a modification program and receive Israeli-unique systems.

An in-country delivery for this C-130J is scheduled for spring 2014.

While Israel is the newest member of the C-130J worldwide operator family, this Super Hercules has the distinction of being one of 290 C-130Js that contributed to the worldwide fleet's first one million flight hours. Shimshon's test flight hours were included in this tally, which spans the C-130J's first flight on April 5, 1996 through April 30, 2013.

Fifteen countries have chosen the C-130J Super Hercules to meet their air mobility needs. C-130Js currently are deployed in two combat theaters.