Lockheed Martin C-130J Fleet Attains IOC with U.S. Air Force

Officer, The, December, 2006 by Earl, Mary Eileen

STARs Partners Review 2006

The year saw Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules approved for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the U.S. Air Force. This crucial clearance also embraces the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve fleets. C-130J qualification operational test and evaluation was completed in April of this year, and this major milestone will expand the role of an aircraft that has already seen several years of combat operations.

"With all formal testing now complete, and with this declaration of IOC, the Air Force has recognized the true value of the C 130J," said David Haines, Lockheed Martin vice president of C-130 programs. "With an aircraft that can operate out of austere strips of less than 2,000 feet, to a range with payload of over 4,000...