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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of two C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft to Mexico.
Under the estimated $412m FMS programme, Mexico has requested two C-130J-30 aircraft, along with ten Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engines, spare and repair parts, and support and test equipment.
The potential sale also includes personnel training and programme support services for a period of three years.
Primarily ordered for presidential support, the aircraft will also be used to provide airlift support for the Mexican Armed Forces during drug interdiction missions.
Lockheed Martin-Aerospace will serve as prime contractor for the programme.
A stretched version of Lockheed Martin-built C-130J Hercules, the C-130J-30 is a four-engine, medium-lift military transport aircraft designed to conduct military, civilian and humanitarian assistance operations.
The aircraft features an expanded cargo compartment, and is equipped with two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics, colour multifunctional liquid crystal displays and head-up displays, as well as enhanced navigation systems with dual inertial navigation system and global positioning system.
Additional features include fully integrated defensive systems, low-power colour radar, digital moving map display, digital auto pilot, enhanced fuel, environmental and ice-protection systems and an improved cargo-handling system.
The Mexican Air Force currently operates a total of seven C-130 Hercules aircraft for tactical transport missions.
Image: A C-130 Hercules aircraft of the Mexican Air Force.