Lawmakers are warning that declining C-130J production rates — down from 24 to 20 aircraft per year — could drive up unit costs and weaken a national supply chain that supports 33,000 jobs across 38 states.
Local interest: A bipartisan coalition of more than 80 lawmakers, in a May 22 letter obtained by Jack, called for full funding of the C-130J family of transport aircraft, citing mission needs across the services. The letter’s leads are Reps. Barry Loudermilk, whose Georgia district is near the Lockheed Martin facility that assembles the aircraft, and Julia Brownley, whose California district is home to a facility that operates the aircraft.
What they want: The lawmakers argue for adding eight C-130Js for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, three to five Navy Reserve KC-130Js and two ski-equipped LC-130Js for Arctic missions — along with $100 million to address parts obsolescence and $71 million in engineering funds.