“This training center reinforces Lockheed Martin’s commitment to bolster allied defence,” said Ray Piselli, vice president of international business development for Lockheed Martin. “Our goal is to ensure every pilot and maintainer is mission ready.”
Lockheed Martin broke ground on the training center in 2021 as part of a direct commercial sale contract with France’s DGA, which includes training devices, the learning management system, courseware and options for additional training services.
The squadron consists of a combined 10 Super Hercules aircraft built by Lockheed Martin, including six from Germany and four from France.France has received its two C-130J-30 airlifters and two KC-130J tankers, while Germany has received its three C-130J-30s and three KC-130Js. This is the first and only binational C-130J squadron in Hercules history.
While the FGMTC contract is the first established business relationship between Lockheed Martin and France’s DGA, Lockheed Martin has been the leading global provider of C-130J training for 28 years.
“Lockheed Martin has proven experience creating turnkey training facilities, as evidenced by the more than 1,000 aircrews and maintenance personnel who have trained at our Hercules Training Center,” said Jonathon Wells, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions for Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business area. “We understand the requirements of developing a new workforce, the challenges of sustaining an existing workforce, and the training structure needed to support the mission.”
