Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $51,000,000 contract in support of the French Air Force for long-term sustainment of C-130 aircraft. This contract provides for the program management, field service representatives, travel and per diem, data, replenishment of spares and other sustainment tasks. Work will be performed in Bae Aerienne, France; and Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed Jan. 1, 2023. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity.
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France of four (4) AE-2100D Turbo Prop engines and two (2) Multifunctional, Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $350 million. The Government of France has requested to buy four (4) AE-2100D Turbo Prop engines and two (2) Multifunctional, Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2).
French Air Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) to be operated in partnership with German Air Force (Luftwaffe). The French and German binational squadron consists of a combined 10 Super Hercules aircraft. The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) reporteded on 10 March that the binational C-130J Super Hercules Squadron air transport squadron being formed by France and Germany is to reach its initial operational capability (IOC) on 1 September as planned despite the Covid-19 pandemic. France’s C-130J Super Hercules are operated in conjunction with its existing C-130H fleet.
The squadron’s four French Air Force C-130Js are stationed at Air Base 123 at Orléans-Bricy pending their move to Évreux in Normandy where the joint Franco-German air transport squadron will be based. The Luftwaffe reported that a maintenance hangar for three aircraft is being built at Évreux where 10 C-130Js will be based, half of which will be tanker versions. The 16-strong German national support element is scheduled to move to Évreux in April along with seven Bundeswehr civilian personnel, followed by French members of the squadron in July and 40 Luftwaffe pilot.
