Lockheed Martin’s C-130 Hercules programme has reached yet another milestone with the delivery of its 2,400th aircraft. The aircraft is an MC-130J Combat Shadow II assigned to US Air Force Special Operations Command to be operated by the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The delivery of this aircraft follows a record year for C-130J production at the company’s facility in Marietta, Georgia. In 2011, 33 C-130J Super Hercules were delivered - a new production record for the C-130J model.

The C-130 production line in Marietta is the longest continuously operating military aircraft production line in history.

“As we start a new year it is only fitting that the C-130 breaks yet another record and sets a new milestone,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin Vice President for C-130 programmes. “The C-130 is the benchmark for airlift around the world and we look forward to this year being another year of excellence for our worldwide customers.”

C-130J aircraft are currently in production for the US Air Force and Marine Corps, Iraq, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Oman and Tunisia. C-130Js are also flown by Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the US Coast Guard.