Air Force awards Lockheed $10B contract for next decade of C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ needs

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin Corp. a $10 billion contract for the next decade’s worth of C-130J “Super Hercules” needs.

Different iterations of the U.S. military’s heavy-lift specialist have transported troops and cargo since the 1950s. The Pentagon’s newest contract will ensure that “Super Hercules” are readily available through Aug. 18, 2026.

“Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. — Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a not-to-exceed ceiling of $10,020,000,000,” the Department of Defense announced in a statement released Aug. 19. “This is a cumulative ceiling to cover all future delivery orders within scope of this contract.”

A quick list of the C-130J’s capabilities demonstrates just how important it is to the Pentagon.

• The aircraft can airdrop up to 42,000 pounds of cargo.
• Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command all use the aircraft.
• The U.S. Air Force has already purchased 77 C-130J aircraft from Lockheed-Martin.
• The ability to rapidly reconfigure a “Super Hercules” means it can do everything from shipping cargo to aeromedical evacuation and firefighting duties.

The C-130 first made its debut in December 1956. Each C-130J costs roughly $50 million to produce.