Lockheed Martin has presented the Air Force with an unsolicited offer for a multi-year purchase of 120 additional new C-130Js that would enable the company to extend its production line well beyond its planned 2010 shut down, reports Roxana Tiron of The Hill. In an interview with the Congressional newspaper, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley called the package a “pretty attractive opportunity.” The Air Force is considering whether it can replace older Hercules with the newer J model. The Marine Corps would like to acquire some J models to replace older C-130 tankers. Moseley said it’s worth considering, “especially if you get the cost down to $47 to $48 million” per aircraft. Each one under the current acquisition agreement costs around $60 million.
The B-2 Spirit remains grounded due to safety issues—and the plane’s stand-down is beginning to disrupt planned operations. According to information provided to the media, the stealth strategic bomber from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., was originally scheduled to participate in the latest iteration of…