Lockheed Martin L-100 freighter gets updated with LM-100J
Source:aircargoweek 2014-2-10 11:53:00
The Maryland-based manufacturer has asked the US government's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a type design update for the Lockheed Martin Model L-382J, a civil-certified variant of the C-130J Super Hercules. That aircraft can carry more than 18 tonnes (40,000lb) of cargo and is used by 15 nations.The civil version will be marketed as the LM-100J. The last time Lockheed offered a civilian version of this aircraft was in the early 1990s. Then it was marketed as the L-100 and many of these are now nearing the end of their useful lives. "It is a modern answer to the existing, multi-tasked L-100 airlift fleet which is a workhorse that has been a critical cargo asset for 40 years," says George Shultz, C-130 programmes vice president and general manager. "Our customers and legacy L-100 operators tell us that the best replacement for an L-100 is an advanced version of the same aircraft. The LM-100J is that aircraft."According to Lockheed, the updated aircraft will be faster, more fuel-efficient and offer 33 per cent increased payload at a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles). And it can operate with two, instead of three crew members. While the manufacturer has not specified the technological design changes or improvements involved in the type update, it said the aircraft will perform, "as a civil multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient transport of cargo". The LM-100J is expected to serve the markets for bulk and oversize cargo, particularly to developing countries. More than 100 L-100s, the commercial variant of the first generation C-130, were produced from 1964 to 1992. Many are still operated worldwide by commercial and government customers.