The Royal Air Force of Oman accepted its first C-130J Super Hercules transport from Lockheed Martin in a ceremony at the company’s Marietta, Ga., production facility, announced the company on Sept. 5. Defense Department and Lockheed Martin officials presented the aircraft to Omani Commander Suleiman al Brashdy during the Aug. 30 event. This airframe is the first of three on order for Oman. The first Super Hercules destined for Iraq also recently flew on its maiden check flight from Marietta, according to a separate Lockheed Martin release. The company is building six C-130Js for Iraq, the first of which is slated for delivery later this year. Oman’s first Super Herk will be ferried for delivery later this year as well, according to the company.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.