Lockheed gets $304 mln plane contract for Norway

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Wednesday it had received a $304 million preliminary U.S. government contract to supply four C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, plus spares and training, to Norway under a government-to-government program.

The deal initially funds 50 percent of the purchase and will let Lockheed start "long-lead" acquisition of production materials. A definitive contract for the Norwegian aircraft is expected to be signed early next year, the company said in a statement.

The first two aircraft for Norway are already in production and were originally destined for service with the U.S. Air Force. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)