LOCKHEED MARTIN HAS BEGUN taxi tests of the first C-130J Hercules 2. A first flight is now expected in the second half of this month, having been delayed from late 1995 by hardware and software problems. Lockheed Martin is still planning for US certification in October and a first delivery to the UK by the end on 1996. The second C-130J is expected to fly in April, with the remaining three test aircraft "close behind," the company says.

Source: Flight International