Lockheed Martin has secured a US contract to deliver upgraded training equipment for the Royal Australian Air Force’s C-130J fleet.
The agreement covers two weapon systems trainers, a modernized cockpit systems trainer, a loadmaster training device, and upgrades to virtual simulation and maintenance systems. Overseen by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the foreign military sale program will see deliveries commence in 2029.
These next-generation simulators incorporate enhanced visuals, motion cueing, and precise cockpit replication to prepare crews for 20 new C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft ordered in 2023. The additional aircraft will both replace and expand Australia’s existing fleet, with arrivals starting in 2028.
With a 46,700-pound payload capacity and the ability to transport the M142 HIMARS, the C-130J offers flexibility for rapid “shoot and scoot” operations, adding to its strategic value.
