ASL Aviation Group signed a Letter of Intent with Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] to order up to 10 LM-100J commercial freighters during a ceremony in Farnborough, United Kingdom, on July 16, 2014. The LM-100J aircraft will be built on the C-130J Super Hercules production line in the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. facility in Marietta, Ga.
“We’ve long relied on our L-100s to deliver results that no other aircraft can produce. From flying humanitarian relief supplies over rugged African terrain to transporting key cargo within Europe and around the world, no other plane can do what a Hercules can do,” said Hugh Flynn, chief executive of ASL Aviation Group. “Being based on the world’s most proven airlifter, the LM-100J enables us to continue to support our global customers, and position our company for the future with increased capabilities that only the LM-100J can deliver. We take pride in our legacy L-100 fleet and eagerly look forward to our future as LM-100J operators.”
Lockheed Martin officials submitted a Program Notification Letter to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Jan. 21, 2014, for a type design update for the Lockheed Martin Model L-382J airplane, a civil-certified variant of the C-130J Super Hercules to be marketed as the LM-100J.
“Today is a monumental day in Hercules history as we have the opportunity to start a new era in operations with ASL Aviation Group,” said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. “As an L-100 operator, ASL Aviation Group knows the flexibility and reliability that only a Hercules can deliver. ASL’s LM-100Js will offer these same attributes and more, helping Safair crews transport literally anything, anywhere, at any time in a technologically advanced airlifter that goes farther and faster than its predecessors. We are honored and excited to share this milestone with ASL.”
Through select design innovations, the LM-100J will perform as a civil multi-purpose air freighter capable of rapid and efficient transport of cargo. The LM-100J is an efficient and ideal airlift solution for delivering bulk and oversize cargo particularly to austere locations worldwide.
Lockheed Martin-sponsored STARBASE program at Dobbins Air Reserve Base completes tenth year
STARBASE Academy, held in conjunction with the Georgia National Guard’s Peach State STARBASE program, is a national program and the product of the Air National Guard and the Department of Defense. Each year during the summer school break, fifth through eighth grade students with family members working at Lockheed Martin may apply to attend STARBASE on a first-come, first-served basis. The program can accommodate 30 students. This year, the program was held from July 14-17.
The academy serves between 900 and 1,000 fifth-grade students each year from area school districts, including Cobb and Marietta. STARBASE is an interactive STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) enrichment program that provides real-world STEM applications. The program uses flight simulations, computer-aided design programs and tours of nearby aviation facilities to help students stimulate their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program operates in close coordination with the Cobb County School District, Marietta City School District and Atlanta Public Schools. The Georgia National Guard provides funding for staff and facilities.
"We are fortunate to have this wonderful resource right next door to our facility," said Shan Cooper, vice president and general manager of the Lockheed Martin Marietta Facility. "Supporting this STEM program is not only fun, but it's also critical to our future as we inspire young people to become engineers. It also offers children and grandchildren of our employees a chance to learn more about what inspired their family member to pursue a career in the aviation industry."
The students graduated on July 17 following a rocket launch event on Dobbins ARB.
