The Iraqi air force has received its final three factory-fresh C-130J transports, completing its order for six of the Lockheed Martin-built airlifters, company spokesman Peter Simmons told the Daily Report on May 6. The first of these three airframes left Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Marietta, Ga., on April 23 en route to Iraq via a US air base, said company officials. Iraq acquired these six C-130Js via a foreign military sale announced in July 2008. Last December, the Iraqis took possession of the first three C-130Js. The Iraqi air force has also been operating several C-130Es.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
