Marietta, GA -- In a ceremony on Monday, Lockheed Martin broke ground on the Hercules Training Center (HTC), a facility slated to open at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics site here in 2018. The HTC will train the next generation of air mobility pilots and crews for the C-130J airlifter and LM-100J commercial freighter.

"Our shared investment in the Hercules Training Center continues years of strong partnership between Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to help equip pilots and aircrews worldwide to command the C-130 platform," said Sandy Samuel, vice president, Training and Simulation Solutions. "We are thrilled to offer our customers even more value through integrated training solutions right here in Marietta where the aircraft is produced."

"As the C-130 Original Equipment Manufacturer, Lockheed Martin has an unmatched knowledge of the Super Hercules — to include providing the most effective training programs for C-130J crews," said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions. "The Lockheed Martin partnership that is at the core of the Hercules Training Center delivers proven INSIGHTs into the operation of the C-130J and LM-100J platforms."