Lockheed Martin is to provide three KC-130J weapon systems trainers (WST) to the US Marine Corps under a $73 million contract. CAE will manufacture the simulators, which will be similar to C-130J WSTs being provided to the US Air Force.
The USMC ordered 20 KC-130J tanker/transports last year under a $4 billion multi-year contract that includes 40 C-130Js for the USAF. The first KC-130J WST will be delivered in 2006 to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, followed late that year by a device for MCAS Miramar, California and in 2008 by a simulator for MCAS Futenma, Japan.
The USMC WSTs are being procured under a C-130J training systems contract awarded by the USAF in November 2003 and worth up to $287 million to Lockheed Martin. Two C-130J WSTs have been delivered to Keesler AFB, Mississippi and Little Rock AFB, Arkansas and CAE is building the first of three more devices for delivery to Little Rock and Pope AFB, North Carolina. FlightSafety supplies the WST's 200°-wide Vital 9 visual system.
Source: Flight International
