Lockheed Martin’s rotary and mission systems business has received a potential 13-year, $1.9 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue production and support of training systems for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
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The Department of War said Tuesday the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center’s Simulators Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio awarded the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the C-130J Maintenance and Training System IV, or JMATS IV, program.
The service obligated $1,000 in fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds for the initial task order at the time of award.
What Is the Scope of the Air Force JMATS IV Contract?
The contract covers the continued production, sustainment, modernization and support of C-130J training systems through the Training System Support Center.
Lockheed will support C-130J aircrew training devices, maintenance training devices and integrated maintenance and aircrew training systems used to train personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the aircraft.
Work will take place at multiple locations, including Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas; Dyess AFB in Texas; Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii; Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina; Quonset Point Air National Guard in Rhode Island; Keesler AFB in Mississippi; Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California; and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas.
Additional work will occur at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Yokota Air Base in Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.
The contract includes a five-year base ordering period and a five-year option term, with an additional three years to complete deliveries. Work is expected to run through Feb. 28, 2039.
The service issued a presolicitation for the JMATS IV contract in April 2025.
What Is the Purpose of the C-130J?
C-130J Super Hercules is a military transport aircraft designed to enable the U.S. military and allied forces to respond quickly to global crises and operational demands by performing medical evacuation, aerial refueling, humanitarian assistance, firefighting and other mission-critical operations. It uses an aft loading ramp and door to accommodate oversized cargo, including six-wheeled armored vehicles and utility helicopters.
The Air Force continues to invest in C-130J Super Hercules through major acquisition and sustainment efforts. In December, the service expanded a Lockheed contract modification for the development, integration, engineering and delivery of the aircraft, bringing the program’s cumulative value to $25 billion and supporting both U.S. military and foreign military sales customers. The Air Force has also pursued the Combined Aircraft Delivery, Development, Integration and Engineering, or CADDIE, contract, which covers procurement of C-130J aircraft and derivatives along with related support equipment, engineering data and spare parts.
