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US Air Force Awards Contract for Ski-Equipped C-130J

September 3, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

US Air Force awards $31.8 million contract to Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Contract covers design and development of ski-equipped C-130J kit.
Work to be completed by March 27, 2028.
LC-130J to support National Science Foundation research in Antarctica.

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Strategic Implications

This contract award may indicate the US Air Force's commitment to modernizing its ski-equipped Hercules fleet, which could enhance its support for Antarctic research. The development of a ski-equipped C-130J kit suggests a focus on improving the fleet's capabilities and reducing maintenance costs, which could have implications for future military operations in polar regions.

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What Happened

Ski-Modified Hercules To Support Antarctic Research

The US Air Force has awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation a $31.8 million contract to design and develop a kit that would convert a production C-130J into a ski-equipped LC-130J. The contract covers non-recurring engineering work, which will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with completion expected by March 27, 2028. The ski-equipped Hercules fleet supports Antarctic research and is flown by the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing. The fleet’s current LC-130H aircraft are aging, with most built in the 1970s, and lawmakers have funded the transition to the LC-130J. This development was first reported by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: September 2, 2026

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