Equipment Procurement

CC-130J Hercules - Tactical Airlift

January 1, 2011

Arrival of CC-130J Hercules Tactical Aircraft in Afghanistan

OTTAWA – The  Canadian Forces are proud to welcome today their first deployed CC-130J Hercules tactical aircraft into operational service at Kandahar Airfield in support of  our UN-mandated, NATO-led mission to Afghanistan...more.

Arrival of CC-130J Hercules Tactical Aircraft in Afghanistan
Photo credit: Department of National Defence

June 4, 2010

Government of Canada proud to deliver new generation of CC-130J Hercules to the Canadian Forces

Trenton, Ont. - The first of 17 new CC-130J Hercules tactical airlift aircraft landed at 8 Wing Trenton (Ontario) today, contributing to the modernization and strengthening of the Canadian Forces.

The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay, and the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, were present to mark this important milestone…more.

For more information, please see the backgrounder.

The CC-130J Hercules aircraft takes off from Marietta, Georgia on its maiden voyage to CFB Trenton, Canada.
The CC-130J Hercules aircraft takes off from Marietta, Georgia on its maiden voyage to CFB Trenton, Canada.
Photo credit: Lockheed Martin

First flight for Canada's CC-130J Hercules

Canada's first CC-130J Hercules takes to the skies on its first flight at contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation’s facility. The Air Force will see its first CC-130J Hercules delivered in June 2010, marking the start of another core fleet replacement in line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to getting the Canadian Forces the equipment they need to carry out their missions.

Photo courtesy of John Rossino from Lockheed Martin Corporation.

In-service, in place: Support for new Hercules fleet announced

The C-130J Hercules tactical airlift project has reached another milestone. The Government of Canada announced on January 13 that it recently signed a $723 million contract amendment with Lockheed Martin Corporation for an initial six years of in‑service support (ISS) to maintain the new fleet. The amendment also includes mechanisms to extend this maintenance support for the full life cycle of the aircraft.

“The in-service support contract is in line with the Government’s Canada First Defence Strategy to provide the men and women of the Canadian Forces with the tools they need to do the jobs asked of them,” said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “These aircraft will enable our Canadian Forces personnel to conduct more effective operations at home and abroad.”

Canada’s first two new C-130J Hercules in the final assembly stages at the Lockheed Martin Corp facility back in November 2009.

Marietta, GA, UNITED STATES

– Canada’s first two new C-130J Hercules in the final assembly stages at the Lockheed Martin Corp facility back in November 2009.

Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Additionally, this announcement highlights the Government’s commitment to ensuring regional economic benefits through military procurement. The Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) policy provides high-value work for Canadian companies and enables them to play an important role in global supply and value chains. The results of this maintenance package will be lasting economic activity and jobs in Canada since, under the contract, Lockheed Martin is required to invest in the Canadian economy, dollar for dollar, what the Government of Canada spends in procuring and maintaining the aircraft over the life of the contract.

The contract to purchase 17 C-130J Hercules aircraft was awarded to Lockheed Martin in December 2007 with an original delivery start date of December 2010; however, thanks to the United States government, Lockheed Martin, and our project teams, the Canadian Forces will welcome its first C-130J into their fleet this June – six months earlier than originally expected. The remaining aircraft will begin delivery in winter 2010 as planned. These aircraft will strengthen the Canadian Forces’ essential lifeline to deployed forces that fly operations around the world, such as bringing supplies and personnel to Afghanistan and much needed humanitarian relief to Haiti.

Herc History

The CC-130 Hercules is the workhorse of the Canadian Forces’ transport fleet. Different variants of this rugged and versatile aircraft have served the Canadian Forces well since the early 1960s. The current fleet of CC-130s continues to be the Canadian Forces’ primary aircraft for tactical airlift, tactical air-to-air refuelling and fixed-wing search and rescue. The Canadian Forces currently own 32 Hercules aircraft: 19 E-models dating from 1964 to 1968 and 13 H-models dating from 1973 to 1992.

Did you know?

A Canadian Forces’ Hercules has logged more total flying hours than any other military Hercules aircraft in the world!

 To ensure the Canadian Forces remain as flexible, efficient and responsive as possible the Government is providing them with the modern capabilities required to continue serving Canada and the world in disaster relief, humanitarian aid, combat, and peacekeeping roles.

Canada’s government continues to work hard to reduce procurement timelines for not only the C-130J Hercules, but for many other procurement projects as well, in an effort to get the Canadian Forces’ men and women the equipment they need and Canadians the results and value they deserve.

Purchased: 17

Contract Amount: The purchase contract for 17 CC-130J Hercules aircraft is valued at approximately $1.4 billion U.S., with an additional amount to be added in 2009 for at least 20 years of in-service support.

Supplier: Lockheed Martin

The lifeline of deployed forces, tactical airlift is the transport of equipment, troops and supplies to, within, and from a theatre of operation. The familiar CC-130 Hercules is the workhorse of the Canadian Forces' transport fleet, and E and H models of this rugged and versatile aircraft have served the Canadian Forces since the early 1960s. Renewing the tactical airlift fleet is part of the Canada First Defence Strategy's commitment to a modernized and strengthened Canadian Forces, enabling troops to conduct safer and more effective operations at home and abroad.

The contract for the purchase of the new aircraft followed a solicitation of interest and qualification process. In December 2007, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to deliver 17 next-generation CC-130J Hercules aircraft. These aircraft meet all the minimum mandatory capabilities of the Canadian Forces, and will provide an essential lifeline to deployed forces at home and abroad, as well as to Canadians in distress.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin Corp. is required to invest in the Canadian economy, dollar for dollar, what the Government of Canada spends in procuring and maintaining the aircraft over the life of the contract, bringing benefits to Canadian industry.

In June 2010, the Canadian Forces will be welcoming the first two new CC-130J Hercules tactical aircraft into their fleet, six months ahead of schedule.

Backgrounders and News Releases