MARIETTA, Ga., May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The first Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) LM-100J commercial freighter aircraft achieved a critical milestone with the completion of its first flight here today.
"I was proud to fly the first flight of
our LM-100J. It performed flawlessly, as is typical of our military C‑130J new production
aircraft," said Wayne Roberts, chief test pilot for the LM-100J Program.
"This new model will perform many commercial roles in the decades to come,
like humanitarian service following natural disasters and others like nuclear
accident response, oil spill containment, and firefighting. This aircraft will
also enable remote area development such as mining and oil and gas exploration.
This day marks the beginning of a tremendous commercial capability that only
the LM-100J can deliver."
This first flight followed the same test
flight route over North Georgia and Alabama that is used for all C-130J Super
Hercules aircraft. The LM-100J will complete initial production flight tests
and then begin Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate update
flight test requirements.
"This first flight is a source of pride
for Lockheed Martin and serves as a proof-point to the ongoing versatility of
the Super Hercules aircraft," said George Shultz, vice president and
general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions, and Marietta site
general manager. "I'm continually impressed by the commitment to quality
and relevance that our employees, industry partners and customers have invested
into the LM-100J. Like its military counterpart, the LM‑100J is exceeding all
expectations in terms of performance and capabilities."
The LM-100J is the 17th different mission
capability developed for the C-130J Super Hercules and it is an updated version
of the L-100 cargo aircraft, which Lockheed Martin produced from 1964-1992.
Lockheed Martin officials submitted a Program Notification Letter to the FAA on
Jan. 21, 2014, for a type design update to this aircraft, a civil-certified
variant of the C-130J Super Hercules to be marketed as the LM-100J.
Through select design innovations, the
LM-100J will perform as a commercial multi-purpose air freighter capable of
rapid and efficient cargo transport. The LM-100J is an ideal airlift solution
for delivering bulk and oversize cargo, particularly to austere locations
worldwide. Like its military counterpart, the LM-100J will be able to support
multiple missions, ranging from firefighting to medevac to VIP transport.
The LM-100J incorporates technological
developments and improvements over the existing L‑100s that result from years of C-130J
operational experience, including more than 1.5 million fleetwide flight hours.
The result of this experience and advancement translates to an aircraft that
will deliver reliable service in a multi-role platform for decades to come.
C-130J Hercules: Details
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