Lockheed Martin has introduced its new LM-100J commercial freighter, the first freighter variant of its C-130J Super Hercules family of aircraft.

Manufactured at the company’s Super Hercules production line in Marietta, Georgia, US, the new LM-100J freighter is expected to commence its first flight later this year.

Lockheed Martin has already applied for a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) civil type certificate update for the newly launched aircraft, production of which was announced in 2014.

The new LM-100J will participate in flight test activity in order to support the FAA’s type certificate process.

Lockheed Martin air mobility and maritime missions vice-president and general manager George Shultz said: “The LM-100J programme has exceeded all expectations in moving from an idea to a reality.

“The LM-100J programme has exceeded all expectations in moving from an idea to a reality."

“We are at this point, thanks to hard work and dedication of Lockheed Martin employees and suppliers, who have literally designed and built this new chapter of Super Hercules operations.

“The FAA has been an essential partner in this aircraft’s production and we look forward to continuing to work together as we move into the LM-100J’s critical flight test phase.”

The ninth production version of Super Hercules aircraft, the LM-100J includes technological developments and improvements, which are based on the operational experience of the C-130J.

The new aircraft is also capable of performing various missions such as oversized cargo transport; oil dispersion/aerial spray; oil and gas exploration; mining logistics operations; aerial firefighting; aerial delivery; medevac/air ambulance and others.


Image: Lockheed Martin debuted its first LM-100J commercial freighter in Marietta, Georgia, US. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.