Lockheed Martin has been awarded a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to supply C-130J training devices and upgrades to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2029 and will include two Weapon Systems Trainers, an Enhanced Integrated Cockpit Systems Trainer (EICS), a Loadmaster Part-Task Trainer, and upgrades to the RAAF’s Virtual Simulation and Virtual Maintenance Trainers.
“We’re honoured to continue our long-standing partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force to enhance and expand their training capabilities,” said Todd Morar, Vice President of Air and Commercial Systems at Lockheed Martin. “As the original equipment manufacturer of the C-130J, our knowledge of the aircraft and its operational flight programme enables us to provide the most authentic, mission-ready training tools available, preparing Australian aircrews to master the aircraft from day one.”
The new training devices incorporate advanced graphics, motion cueing and high-fidelity cockpit replication to mirror the operational C-130J. They are designed to ensure concurrency with the RAAF’s forthcoming C-130J-30 acquisitions, enabling the rapid introduction of new capabilities.
The RAAF has operated the C-130 since 1958 and currently fields 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft. Under a 2022 Foreign Military Sales agreement, the United States approved the sale of up to 24 additional C-130J-30 airlifters. In July 2023, Australia exercised that option, formally acquiring 20 new C-130J-30 aircraft to replace and expand its existing fleet. The first of these aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2028, strengthening the RAAF’s tactical airlift capability and supporting No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond.
