First Lockheed Martin LM-100J Super Hercules Rolls Off the Production Line

Lockheed Martin’s first LM-100J Super Hercules made its debut last week as employees walked the first model out of its production facility in Marietta, Georgia, marking a milestone in the aircraft’s production.

The company has filed for an FAA civil type certificate, and this first LM-100J will undergo flight-testing as part of the process. Its first flight is planned for spring.

“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,” said George Shultz, vice president and general manager of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin.

Employees who designed and built the LM-100J rolled the aircraft off the production line on February 9, nearly three years after the company announced its intent to manufacture and market the super freighter.

“The LM-100J program has exceeded all expectations in moving from an idea to a reality,” Shultz said. “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 LM-100J joins Lockheed’s Super Hercules family as the ninth production version of the aircraft, supported by years of military C-130J operations. The super freighter is intended to support a variety of tasks, including: oversize cargo transport; oil dispersion and aerial spray; oil and gas exploration; mining logistics; aerial firefighting; aerial delivery; air ambulance; humanitarian relief; personnel transport; austere field operations; and search and rescue.