By Peter Clark
New Zealand has approved a NZ$21.2 million ($15.7 million) self-protection system upgrade to its five Lockheed Martin C-130H transports, with the work to be combined with a NZ$226 million life-extension effort intended to ensure the type's operational availability until at least 2017.
To be installed by mid-2011, the self-protection equipment will be integrated by Safe Air at Blenheim, New Zealand from the air force's second transport, with its first modernised example - now nearing completion by L-3 Communications Spar Aerospace in Edmonton, Canada - to be retrofitted.
The self-protection system will have new sensors, faster processing and an increased detection range and replace countermeasures equipment acquired in the early 1990s. New Zealand's C-130s currently operate in countries including Afghanistan and East Timor.
"The system we have chosen for the upgrade is in widespread global use and will also be fitted to the [NH Industries] NH90, providing additional cost efficiencies," says defence minister Phil Goff. New Zealand's eight NH90 helicopters will enter service from 2010.
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The new system will replace countermeasures equipment from early 1990s |
Source: Flight International
