ST Aerospace hopes to win fresh customers for its Lockheed Martin C-130 cockpit upgrades from operators in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Speaking to FlightGlobal at the Singapore air show, the programme's senior principal engineer, Simon Goh, explains that the company offers several levels of upgrades for customers with varying budgets.
The top-of-the-line upgrade features digital maps with enhanced night vision, as well as thermal imagery. Meanwhile, basic upgrades feature improved communication, navigation systems and air traffic management (CNS-ATM) systems.
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Goh also says that demand for the C-130 cockpit upgrade product picked up after the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER in 2014 while operating the ill-fated flight MH370.
"It is not just commercial airlines that are seeking to have better CNS-ATM systems for their aircraft. Operators of military aircraft are also getting more keen," he adds.
However, Goh explains that ST Aero has found it challenging to engage some C-130 operators on the upgrade. This is primarily due to competition from Lockheed that offers similar upgrade services.
"They [Lockheed Martin] cannot be everywhere, so that's where we come in to service this region," he says.
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Source: Cirium Dashboard
