Lockheed Martin has received a contract worth up to $5.3 billion to deliver C-130J Super Hercules airlifters to the U.S. Armed Forces.

The multiyear contract funds the delivery of up to 78 Super Hercules aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, and potentially the U.S. Coast Guard if all options are exercised. The Department of Defense awarded an initial $1 billion contract for the first 32 aircraft.

"We are proud to partner with the U.S. government to continue to deliver to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard the world's most proven, versatile and advanced airlifter," Lockheed Martin Air Mobility & Maritime Missions vice president George Shultz said in a statement.

Under the contract, the Air Force will receive most of the airlifters, including 30 MC-130Js, 13 HC-130Js, and 29 C-130J-30s. The Marines will receive six KC-130s, and the U.S. Coast Guard will have the option to receive five HC-130Js. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2016, and complete by 2020.

"This multiyear contract provides true value to our U.S. operators as they recapitalize and expand their much-relied-upon Hercules aircraft, which has the distinction of being the world's largest and most tasked C-130 fleet," Shultz added.

Super Hercules aircraft are used for the mass transit of troops, supplies, or additional equipment. They are fit for use on the battlefield as well as disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions.

China Express orders 10 Bombardier jets worth $462 mn
Montreal (AFP) Dec 31, 2015 –

Chinese regional carrier China Express Airlines has placed an order for 10 Bombardier CRJ900 jets worth $462 million, the Canadian aircraft builder said Thursday.

The order will eventually increase the China Express' all-Bombardier fleet to 38, according to a Bombardier statement.

Based in the southwest city of Chongqing, the nine year old carrier serves 62 cities in China.

The CRJ900 is a regional jet that seats up to 90 passengers, and with the China express deal, Bombardier has racked up 409 firm orders for the aircraft.

"The CRJ900 is the right aircraft for our cooperation with major airlines on code sharing and connecting flights, as well as cooperation with cities. It offers excellent economics and reliability and is well liked by our passengers," China Express president Wu Longjiang said in a statement.