MALAYSIA HAS re-opened its Lockheed Martin C-130 avionics upgrade competition in a move to reduce programme costs and secure an improved deal.
Avionics supplier Rockwell-Collins and systems integrator CAE, were originally selected to perform the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 upgrade, (Flight International, 4-10 October, 1995). A subsequent audit by independent consultants, however, is understood to have found that the winning bid was overpriced.
The Malaysian requirement calls for the aircraft to be fitted with new digital flight-management systems (FMS) and displays, weather radar, inertial-navigation system (INS), UHF/VHF/HF communications, satellite communications (satcom), VHF omni-directional range and instrument- landing systems, and a traffic-alert and collision-avoidance system (TCAS).
Rockwell-Collins, in response has proposed a mixed package of military and commercial systems, including its EFIS-85 electronic flight-instrument system, FMS-800, TCAS-II, 906 satcom, APN-241 radar and Litton LN-93 INS.
Honeywell, which originally competed for the work, teamed with Malaysia Airlines, has now been asked to submit a fresh bid. Its proposed avionics package is based on that developed with Sabena Technics for the Belgian air force's C-130 upgrade.
Systems include, Honeywell's EDZ-805 electronic flight-instrument system, H-764 INS with embedded global positioning system, Primus 701 weather and ground-mapping radar and an FMS developed for the C-130J.
Whichever, avionics package is finally selected, the work will almost certainly still be carried out in country by Airod. The RMAF initially wants to upgrade five recently delivered C130H-30s and plans eventually to extend the programme to nine older aircraft.
Source: Flight International