C-130J purchase hailed as positive

Published: Jan 05, 2006
Source: aimpoints.hq.af.mil



There's good news for the C-130J program at the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta.

A budget proposal by the Defense Department calls for purchasing 13 of the supercargo aircraft for $1.15 billion over the next two years instead of the next six years, according to news reports.

The earlier purchase was in a budget document approved by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England last month. It would authorize $430 million in fiscal 2007 starting next Oct. 1 and $718 million in the 2008 fiscal year to buy 18 transports for the Air Force and eight KC-130J aerial refueling tankers for the Marine Corps.

Such a commitment by the Pentagon is a most welcome reversal of its attitude a year ago when the brass wanted to cancel the five-year contract for 60 aircraft but met too much opposition from Georgia's congressional delegation with help from other members.continue..