Article Posted on : - Apr 10, 2014

The C-130J Super Hercules. A Lockheed Martin photo

MARIETTA, GEORGIA (BNS): The first C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft for the Israel Air Force (IAF) has arrived at its home base in Nevatim, southern Israel on April 9.

The military airlifter was handed over to Israel in June 2013 at Lockheed's Marietta facility and remained in the US to receive Israeli-specific, post-production modifications.

The IAF has bestowed the nickname "Shimshon" on its C-130Js.

Israel has ordered a total of six C-130Js from the US under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal, with an option for three more.

The new planes are set to replace the aging C-130E/H transporters as well as the KC-130H aerial-refuelling tankers.