Lockheed Martin announced at Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the C-130J Super Hercules global supply chain with Kencoa Aerospace Corporation, a Republic of Korea aerospace industry partner. This MoU represents Lockheed Martin’s commitment to contributing to the Republic of Korea’s Large Transport Aircraft 2nd (LTA-II) Program, which is managed through the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Lockheed Martin is offering the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter in response to the LTA-II Program. The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) operates one of the largest and most active C-130 fleets in Asia, which includes C-130J-30 Super Hercules and C-130H airlifters.
“Kencoa has established itself as a leading aerospace company in Korea in less than 10 years through its experience in overseas aerospace projects and strategic initiatives,” said Kenneth Minkyu Lee, Kencoa CEO. “The partnership with Kencoa is an important link in Lockheed Martin’s expansion into the Korean market, and Kencoa expects that this project will not only help the company secure large export volumes in the high barrier to entry U.S. defense market, but also contribute to the improvement of domestic aircraft manufacturing capabilities.”
“Lockheed Martin’s MoU with Kencoa expands our established history of working with Korean industry to support critical security and defense programs, including the C-130J Super Hercules,” said Tony Frese, vice president of Business Development for the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions (AMMM) line of business at Lockheed Martin. “The C-130J is known as the world’s workhorse and a global supply chain with Korean Industry Partners strengthens this reputation, while deepening our ties with the Republic of Korea.”
Through MoU, Kencoa will produce major components of C-130Js in a growing partnership with Lockheed Martin. Kencoa will be responsible for the production of multiple sub-assemblies for each C-130J delivered into the ever expanding global market. This is a high-value program that includes technology and know-how transfer, investment, manufacturing, and export. Kencoa is a certified Korean Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) located in Sacheon, Korea, specializing in the manufacturing of metallic components for space and aircraft platforms. Kencoa USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Kencoa, has been an elite supplier on several Lockheed Martin projects, including the production of parts for the company’s C-130, F-16 and F-35 aircraft.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) operates four C-130J-30s, receiving these Super Hercules in 2014. The ROKAF crews have flown its C-130J-30s in support of peacekeeping, humanitarian, disaster response, military and training missions within South Korea, throughout Asia and across the globe. Procuring additional C-130Js would efficiently provide expanded mission capability for the ROKAF while facilitating seamless integration with the U.S. military and a growing list of C-130J operators in the Indo-Pacific region. The C-130J Super Hercules is the worldwide choice in tactical airlift, serving 26 operators in 22 nations. To date, more than 525 C-130Js have been delivered and the Super Hercules remains unmatched in its ability to support 18 different mission requirements.
