Bids are expected this week for a Brazilian air force Lockheed Martin C-130 upgrade covering modifications to seven C-130Hs and a single C-130E. The tender follows the implementation of an upgrade by Derco Aerospace of five C-130Es, and is expected to be awarded "within a couple of months", say contractors familiar with the contest.
The first upgraded C-130E is due for completion in July, with the second to follow by the end of August, says Derco, which manages the programme being conducted by Timco in Florida. The fifth and final aircraft will be completed by the end of next year, it says. The upgrade includes an extensive cockpit modification, with a Litton LTN-92 attitude heading and reference system, traffic alert and collision avoidance and other elements to satisfy global air traffic management/future air navigation system compliance, as well as large liquid crystal displays.
The Brazilian aircraft have been fitted with upgraded C-SPEC environmental control system, developed jointly by Honeywell, Lockheed Martin and Derco. The aircraft's original gas turbine compressors are to be replaced with the Honeywell GTCP-85-180L auxiliary power unit.
Although several companies, including Derco, Raytheon and Snow Aviation, are believed to be submitting bids for the Brazilian contest, Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina (LMAAS) says it declined to enter.
LMAAS is more enthusiastic, however, about a similar programme the Venezuelan air force is expected to offer for tender around mid-April. The requirement is believed to be broader in scope than the Brazilian programme, as it may also involve the recovery of aircraft badly damaged in service. Although the Venezuelan air force has a notional 12 C-130s in its fleet, only six to eight are expected to be covered by the programme.
Snow is proposing the more extensive C-130M upgrade, which would include re-engining the aircraft with a hybrid version of the Rolls-Royce AE2100 turboprop - fitted to the C-130J - or the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A.
The C-130M would incorporate a 1,524mm (60in) forward fuselage plug, room for a fifth pallet, 1,940 litre (510USgal) wingtip tanks in place of underwing tanks, the option of a conformal centre-wing fuel sleeve and reinforced aft fuselage for a 250kt (460km/h) airdrop capability.
Including a new two-man cockpit, the entire package would cost $25.5 million.
Source: Flight International
