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2018-11-04

Lockheed Martin’s LM-100J Freighter Takes Flight

Last month, Lockheed Martin introduced Pallas Aviation as the first LM-100J commercial freighter operator. The LM-100J is a production variant of the proven C-130J Super Hercules, which is the military airlifter of choice for 18 nations around the world.

Pallas Aviation will provide management services and operational control of two LM-100J aircraft requiring heavy-lift/oversized cargo capability into and out of unconventional airports and remote locations for a specific set of clients in multiple industries. Pallas will operate its LM-100Js out of Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Texas.

In conjunction with this announcement, an LM-100J aircraft was also on static display at the Alliance Air Show in Fort Worth that took place on October 13 and 14.

“In choosing the LM-100J, we have access to one of the newest cargo freighters that happens to have one of the most proven pedigrees in aviation: the C-130J Super Hercules. The LM-100J offers an outstanding performance record, reliability, experience, and unmatched capabilities,” said Emory Ellis, Pallas Aviation president. “There are other cargo aircraft in the market, but there’s one LM-100J, and that’s the airplane we need to do our job.”

Lockheed Martin introduced the LM-100J freighter in 2014 as an updated version of the L-100 legacy Hercules commercial variant. The company delivered more than 100 L-100s to private and government operators from 1964-1992. The LM-100J offers a civil-certified option for operators that build on the proven performance of the military C-130J variants, which have flown almost two million hours in support of a multitude of mission requirements.

“Over the past few years, we’ve had the honour to partner with the Pallas team in building the LM-100J and are excited to see this joint vision be a reality that we can share with the aviation industry,” said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions, Lockheed Martin. “We can’t wait for Pallas to show the world the versatility and capability that is found only in an LM-100J.”

Two LM-100Js are currently flying in support of FAA type certificate update testing. The C-130J was fully FAA certified when it was first developed and the LM-100J requires an update of this certificate.

Ideal Airlift Solution
Lockheed Martin officials submitted a Program Notification Letter with the Federal Aviation Administration on January 21, 2014, for a type design update for the Lockheed Martin Model L-382J airplane, a variant of the proven C-130J Super Hercules to be marketed as the civil-certified LM-100J.

The first production LM-100J had its first flight on May 25, 2017, while the second production had its first flight on October 11, 2017. Both aircraft are currently supporting FAA testing, which is on track to complete in 2018.

Five LM-100Js are on contract to an undisclosed customer. Pallas Aviation will operate two of these LM-100Js. It includes all of the proven aspects of the C-130J, including its outstanding operational performance, affordability, flexibility, active production line, robust supply chain, and worldwide sustainment providers.

The airlifter is an efficient and ideal airlift solution for delivering bulk and oversize cargo particularly to austere locations worldwide. It incorporates technological developments and improvements over the existing L-100s at a competitive price that results from years of C-130J operational experience. The result of this experience and advancement translates to an aircraft that will deliver reliable service in a flexible airframe for decades to come.

As it is based on the operational C-130J, the civil variant LM-100J can operate from short, unprepared airfields without ground support equipment. Furthermore, it requires minimal material handling equipment and enables rapid onload and offload at truck-bed height.

The growth provisions built into the LM-100J will enable it to support a variety of future missions that include Oil spill clean-up, oil exploration logistics operations, mining logistics operations, aerial firefighting and delivery, medevac/air ambulance, humanitarian relief operations, VIP transport and aerial spray.

The LM-100J has an integrated global logistics network, a worldwide support system and insights from known operational and support costs.

In addition, Lockheed Martin’s Hercules Training Centre (HTC) will be opening this year and will be a single source for all C-130J military and commercial training needs. In addition to courses, the HTC will have a re-configurable, Level D simulator. The HTC is located in Marietta, Georgia, just steps from the Super Hercules production line.

The LM-100J provides unmatched flexibility for the most challenging logistics requirements such as oversize, ramp-loaded or palletized cargo (463L pallets), true multi-role capability with roll-on/roll-off sensors and equipment, short field/soft (unimproved) field, and all weather/night missions. The LM-100J is in the “stretched’ configuration, providing a 55-foot-long cargo floor. The military components of the C-130J are removed for this civil variant.

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