Aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin has received updated type design certification for its LM-100J commercial aircraft from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The updated FAA certification allows the LM-100J to conduct any mission from any commercial airfield. It is a civil-certified variant of the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft used by the military.

The decision to update FAA A1SO type certificate was announced in 2014 when the company revealed that it will trade its Model L-382J aircraft as the LM-100J.

Lockheed Martin Air Mobility & Maritime Missions business line vice-president and general manager Rod McLean said: “Like its military counterparts, the worldwide L-100 fleet is a much tasked and much relied upon. As this fleet reaches the end of its operating life, customers told us the only replacement for the L-100 is an LM-100J.

“This updated FAA certification enables the LM-100J to literally go anywhere in the world to fulfil the unique and demanding requirements it was built to support.”

The aircraft can be used for quick cargo transport and certain specialised mission needs by making select changes to the design.

The LM-100J offers 14% extra fuel efficiency compared with the previous L-100s. The payload or range capability has also been enhanced by 20%.

The aircraft is also equipped with automated maintenance fault reporting, an enhanced cargo handling (ECHS) system, digital avionics, a dual head-up display, carbon brakes and more.

LM-100J training can be carried out at the Lockheed Martin’s Hercules Training Center (HTC) in Marietta, Georgia.

Following the approval, Lockheed Martin will now aim to deliver two LM-100J aircraft to Pallas Aviation, the LM-100J launch operator.

Lockheed Martin LM-100J programme director Marilou Franklin said: “Our goal was to produce an airlifter that was as safe as it was capable as it was advanced. In partnering with our existing L-100 operators, our network of suppliers and the FAA, we did that, and more, with the LM-100J.”