The Royal Norwegian Air Force has taken delivery of the final two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin.

The U.S. defense contractor was awarded the contract for the sale of four C-130J aircraft three years ago as part of Norway's bid to upgrade its cargo airlift modernization capabilities. The first plane was delivery in November 2008, with the second sent to Norway five months later.

The contract includes initial spares and training through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program and the new planes replace the 1968 vintage C-130Hs of the Norwegian fleet that have been outdated and taken out of service.

The much-vaunted sale marks the first international sale for the Super Hercules within the U.S. Foreign Military Sales initiative that awarded the contract in 2007.

"As the first C-130J FMS order, the Norway contract was an important milestone for the sale of the C-130J around the world," said Julie Whitehead, Director of the C-130J program for Lockheed Martin in Norway, in a company statement.

With the delivery of the final pair of planes, Whitehead said during the hand-over ceremony, "the Royal Norwegian Air Force is among those countries with the most advanced cargo fleets in the world."

The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. In general appearance, it is externally similar to the classic Hercules with the J model sporting considerably updated technology.

Its length has been stretched by 15 feet but the main differences include a new engine manufactured by Rolls Royce, digital avionics and reduced crew requirements. The largest operator so far of the new model is the United States Air Force, which is ordering the aircraft in increasing numbers.

Lockheed Martin had also offered to lease four C-130Js to the German Luftwaffe but the deal was scrapped.

Experts say the upgraded Hercules can fly farther, faster and with a bigger payload and higher reliability. It flies to a maximum speed of 362 knots.

"The new aircraft will enable Norway to fully meet its national airlift mission requirements as well as those missions in support of international organization such as the United Nations and NATO," the Lockheed Martin statement said.

Military experts said Norway's request to buy the upgraded Hercules was turned in near record time by the Air Force Security Assistance Center into a $516 million formal proposal for four aircraft.

The program, reported Defense Professionals, was "managed by the Aeronautical System's Center's 657th Squadron."