Lockheed Martin is regrouping its C-130 modifications and sustainment business in the wake of the loss of the US Air Force's Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP) to Boeing, with the aim of marketing a lower cost and less sophisticated upgrade package to international Hercules operators.
The company has forged a fresh post-AMP team around its Marietta- based Aeronautics, Owego-based System Integration, Orlando-based Information Systems and Greenville-based Aircraft and Logistic Centers business units. Its task is to separate upgrade options among the 60 or more countries operating the Hercules from potential buyers of the next generation C-130J.
"We're taking a look at the whole market," says Dave Larson, Lockheed Martin director C-130 modifications and sustainment. "Few countries can afford it or are looking at a full-blown AMP kit. We're establishing solutions to meet the these countries' needs," he adds.
Lockheed Martin sees a baseline requirement for an avionics upgrade to ensure global air traffic management compliance, such as the addition of traffic collision avoidance systems, protected ILS and improved required navigation performance, as well as addressing system obsolescence. The company is also looking at modifications such as an in-flight refuelling tanker and a fuselage stretch.
The company sees a modification market for 150 aircraft in 15 countries, with pending avionics upgrade requirements in Brazil, Egypt, Greece, Israel and Malaysia, while Sweden is looking at a life extension for eight C-130E aircraft. The latter two countries have signed contracts with Lockheed Martin to convert to tankers two C-130Hs and a single C-130E respectively.
Other countries like Canada and New Zealand are trying to decide between upgrading existing fleets or acquiring replacement C-130Js. In Canada's case, its Hercules fleet is among the oldest with one high- time aircraft having clocked up 42,000h and the benefits of an upgrade are debatable. "They could replace the aircraft with the C-130J at no extra cost of ownership and with fewer aircraft," says Larson.
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first of three stretched C-130J-30s to the Rhode Island Air National Guard (ANG). The aircraft features a 4.6m (15ft) longer fuselage. The remaining two aircraft will be delivered in December.Source: Flight International
