The first South Korean C-130J made its inaugural flight at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Marietta, Ga., announced company officials. Aircraft No. 5730, one of four C-130Js that South Korea ordered in late 2010, flew on Aug. 14, states the company’s release. These airplanes are scheduled for delivery in 2014, according to the company. South Korea currently flies the C-130H model. Lockheed Martin unveiled the paint scheme for the South Korean aircraft in June.
The KC-Z4, a blended wing body tanker concept being developed by startup JetZero, could fuel larger groups of aircraft at longer range to hold more targets at risk, company officials say.