The Royal Australian Air Force is set to significantly expand its C-130J training capacity, with Lockheed Martin to deliver a suite of advanced simulators and training devices designed to support fleet growth and accelerate aircrew readiness.
Under a Foreign Military Sales contract awarded through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Lockheed Martin will provide new high-fidelity training systems from 2029, including two Weapon Systems Trainers, an Enhanced Integrated Cockpit Systems Trainer and a Loadmaster Part-Task Trainer, along with upgrades to existing virtual simulation and maintenance trainers.
The new devices are designed to expand training capacity as the RAAF prepares to grow its C-130J fleet.
“We’re honoured to continue our long-standing partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force to enhance and expand their training capabilities,” said Todd Morar, vice president of Air and Commercial Systems at Lockheed Martin. “As the original equipment manufacturer of the C-130J, our knowledge of the aircraft and its operational flight program enable us to provide the most authentic, mission-ready training tools available, preparing Australian aircrews to master the aircraft on day one.”
According to Lockheed Martin, the simulators will feature updated graphics, motion cueing and high-fidelity cockpit replication aligned with the operational C-130J. The devices are also designed to remain concurrent with the RAAF’s incoming C-130J-30 aircraft, enabling new capabilities to be integrated quickly into the training environment.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Director of Global Training Systems, Peter Ashworth, said the focus was on delivering capability efficiently.
“Our focus is preparing a mission-ready future force through the use of advanced technologies that reduce risk, cost and timelines, while improving capability to give Defence an operational edge,” Mr Ashworth said.
“Lockheed Martin Australia looks forward to supporting the Royal Australian Air Force with its C-130J training requirements to ensure RAAF personnel are equipped with the critical skills needed to achieve the mission.”
The RAAF has operated the Hercules since 1958 and currently flies 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft. Under a 2022 Foreign Military Sales approval, Australia was cleared to acquire up to 24 additional C-130J-30 airlifters. In July 2023, the government confirmed the purchase of 20 new aircraft to replace and augment the existing fleet.
The first of the new aircraft is expected to arrive in 2028 and will support No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, expanding the RAAF’s tactical airlift capability.
More than 560 C-130J aircraft have been delivered worldwide, with the global fleet surpassing three million flight hours across 28 operators in 23 nations.