Canada has accepted it’s first of the 17 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin at Canadian Forces base at Trenton. Canada had finalized its C-130J contract with Lockheed Martin in December 2007, with a following agreement from the U.S Air Force to ensure the early delivery of the first two Canadian aircrafts. The balance will be delivered by the end of 2012.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the first CC-130 Hercules aircraft accepted by Canada," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, the Canadian Minister of National Defence. "I am proud to mark this milestone by welcoming the J-model Hercules into our fleet - on budget and on schedule - ensuring the Canadian Forces have the equipment it needs to be a modern, multi-role force able to take on the challenges of the 21st century."

Tony Frese the program director of C-130J said “Lockheed Martin is proud to again support Canada and the Canadian Forces”. He also mentioned that C-130J is an ideal aircraft and it will replace the current fleet of C 130. In terms of operational efficiency C-130J is much greater than the Canada’s existing E and H models. It can fly further, faster and can carry more payloads and has higher reliability.

Lockheed Martin recently announced the team of Canadian companies that will provide maintenance and support for Canada's new CC 130J fleet. The initial in-service support (ISS) contract period is for six-and-a-half years from contract award in December 2009 to June 30, 2016.