Lockheed wins contract for 10 transport planes

Bethesda-based Lockheed Martin Corp. said yesterday it won a contract to sell 10 additional transport aircraft to the U.S. Department of Defense.

No purchase price for the aircraft was given. Officials at Lockheed Martin couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

On Nov. 26, the Defense Department agreed to pay $650 million for 14 of Lockheed's C-130J aircraft.

Four of the aircraft from the order announced yesterday will go to the Maryland Air National Guard and two will be used to track storms from Mississippi. Two more will be sent to Pennsylvania, and two will be used by the Marine Corps.

The planes will be built by Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems, a Marietta, Ga.-based unit of Lockheed Martin.

The C-130J will replace the C-130E, which has been the Air Force tactical airlift workhorse since 1955 and was heavily used during the Vietnam War. The C-130J operates with two pilots and a load master, who manages cargo operations; the C-130E has a five-member crew.

Lockheed Martin shares rose 25 cents to $93.8125 yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange.

Pub Date: 12/27/97