Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has submitted a proposal to Defence under which it would head a consortium of companies to sustain the RAAF’s current and future fleets of C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters.
Stephen Sheehy, Lockheed Martin's vice-president of sustainment strategy and business development, told ADM that the company's bid responded to a Defence RfP for a sustainment partner.
This followed a Commonwealth announcement last November that more Super Hercules would be acquired for the RAAF under Project Air 7404 Phase 1. This did not disclose how many aircraft would be procured, but a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announcement shortly afterwards said the potential sale featured 24 C-130J-30s for USD6.35 billion.
According to the RFP, the first four of these aircraft would be delivered in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2027, aircraft five to eight in Q1 2029, aircraft nine to 11 in Q2 2030, and initial operational capability (IOC) in Q4 2030. IOC was expected to mark the completion of the drawdown of the current 12-strong Super Hercules fleet. Full operational capability (FOC) was given as Q4 2036.
Sheehy said CASG was seeking to progress sustainment working with a single prime under a 12-year contract from 2025, with an option to extend to 2055.
CASG currently has individual Hercules sustainment contracts with Airbus Australia for air vehicle maintenance (with Lockheed Martin as a subcontractor), CAE for training, StandardAero for engine maintenance, Rolls-Royce for engine overhaul, and Dowty for propellers.
All these companies are party to Lockheed Martin's sustainment proposal, with the US company taking the prime role, Sheehy said. When delivering its proposal on 27 February, Lockheed Martin was informed by Defence that the proposed sustainment partnership was being contended, he added.
A downselect was expected in Q3 2023, followed by a Request for Tender in early 2024.