C-130J Hercules Transport Aircraft

The C-130J Hercules Transport Aircraft (C-130J) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed through the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. This tactical airlift platform serves multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as international military partners. The program encompasses the full lifecycle management of the C-130J fleet, including aircraft procurement, capability upgrades, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

Contract awards associated with this program typically range from small purchases of $10,000 to major delivery orders exceeding $1 billion, with performance periods spanning from a few months to over 10 years. Primary funding agencies include the Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, and Air Force Materiel Command. Lockheed Martin Corporation serves as the principal prime contractor, particularly for aircraft delivery and major upgrades, while significant support contracts are held by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (maintenance and logistics), GE Aviation Systems/Dowty Propellers (propulsion systems), and Rolls-Royce Corporation (engine support). Other notable contractors include Vertex Aerospace LLC, Honeywell International Inc., and L3Harris Technologies. Work is predominantly performed in Marietta, Georgia; Sterling, Virginia; Cambridge, United Kingdom; and various military installations worldwide. The majority of contracts are unrestricted with no set-aside designations, reflecting the specialized nature of aerospace manufacturing and maintenance services required.