The US government has tasked Lockheed Martin with supplying advanced simulators and training upgrades for the Royal Australian Air Force’s C-130J program.
Included in the contract are two weapon systems trainers, an enhanced cockpit systems trainer, a loadmaster part-task trainer, and improvements to virtual training and maintenance platforms. The initiative, administered through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is scheduled for delivery beginning in 2029.
The upgraded systems are designed with improved graphics and motion systems to mirror real cockpit conditions, supporting the integration of 20 new C-130J-30 aircraft procured in 2023. The fleet expansion will bolster Australia’s current 12-aircraft inventory, with initial deliveries planned for 2028.
Capable of carrying 46,700 pounds and flying up to 2,160 nautical miles, the aircraft can also accommodate the M142 HIMARS, a key consideration in Canberra’s acquisition strategy.
