The Pentagon last week notified Congress of the potential foreign military sale of two C-130J transports to Norway. The Royal Norwegian Air Force, which already operates several C-130Js, requested the additional Herks “to fulfill national and international airlift commitments and requirements, and to increase its capability to provide intratheater lift” in Afghanistan, states the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s June 7 release. Under the estimated $300 million deal, manufacturer Lockheed Martin would equip these C-130Js to USAF standards, with a full self-defense suite and modern communications systems, states the release. The proposed FMS package includes the aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines as well as spares, contractor logistical support, and training equipment, according to DSCA. Norway lost one of the four C-130Js that it purchased in 2007 in a crash in March during an exercise in Sweden.
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.