USAF To Buy C-130J of Lockheed Martin

USAF C-130J Inflight

USAF To Buy C-130J. Lockheed Martin could deliver up to 100 more C-130J, plus services and equipment support for US and foreign customers under a new contract vehicle awarded on August 19 2016. The five-year contract order (FYOC) accommodates orders placed by international and foreign military sales customers (FMS), the Center for lifecycle management of the Air Force (AFLCMC).

The FYOC is the second major announcement involving the acquisition of C-130J in the last eight months. Last December, the USAF also ordered 78 C-130J under a multi-year USD 5.4 billion acquisition (PAI) treatment, which covers deliveries through 2018. This contract includes tax options to buy up to 10 more planes, including five for the United States Coast Guard and five for the US army.

Any request made under the agreement FYOC would come on top of the contract EPI says AFLCMC. Such orders include "Suma and Congress Ups Plus, above and beyond what is in the PAI." The FYOC also includes services such as repairs and improvements for C-130J acquired under the agreement several years.

The total value of the FYOC can not exceed USD 10.02 billion, according to the announcement of award of the Department of Defense. The purchase price of the unit of a C-130J is around USD 80-85 million.

The Air Force has awarded bids for international purchases FYOC and Congressoinal complement C-130J in the past, but this is structured differently. Unlike the previous four bids FYOC for C-130J program, the last structure uses a format indefinite quantity / indefinite delivery. The ID / IQ structure was selected because of the large number of engineering changes and the number of clients served by the office of C-130J program.

"Converting to an ID / IQ helps to better organize and manage the actions of contract," says AFLCMC. Lockheed has delivered 182 C-130J and 130J-50 KC to the USMC so far, including six in total and delivered under the last contract EPI, leaving the company with a portfolio of firm orders for 72 aircraft tactical transport four central engine.

The US Army still want more C-130J in inventory beyond deliveries in the PAI. budget documents released in January show the USAF has a requirement to purchase 172 C-130J and combined AC- 131, MC and HC-130J for the US Special Operations Command. The USAF also orders Lockheed C-130J on behalf of the Navy and Marine Corps, which is required to purchase a total of 104 KC-130J. USAF To Buy C-130J news via flightglobal.