C-130J Transport Aircraft

HC Deb 07 December 1998 vol 322 c62W

Ms Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the C-130J transport aircraft will enter service. [63096]

Mr. Spellar

On current plans the RAF will commence C-130J operations at RAF Lyneham in November 1999. This is over two years later than the original delivery date. The In-Service Date is defined as delivery of the 12th aircraft, and this is now estimated to be in May 2000, 22 months later than originally planned. The delay has arisen as a result of a succession of problems in Lockheed Martin's overall programme to design and produce the aircraft. The Department is receiving liquidated damages from Lockheed Martin to compensate for additional costs associated with running on the current C-130K aircraft. It is estimated that the total liquidated damages for late delivery of the aircraft, based on the above delivery schedule, will amount to some £50 million.