A crucial block upgrade intended to remove most of the remaining operational limitations on the Lockheed Martin C-130J was poised to enter flight testing late last week, the company confirms.
The US C-130J fleet is not cleared to perform several key functions, including air-dropping cargo and troops, operating in hostile environments, combat search and rescue duties, night vision goggle operations and visual formation flying.
The Block 5.4 upgrade, launched in 2002 to correct these deficiencies, will introduce the enhanced cargo-handling system and several software upgrades to the communications, navigation and identification system in the cockpit, says Lockheed Martin.
The upgrade "wraps up the improvements asked for by the air force", the company says. A final modification is planned to be introduced in the Block 6.0 upgrade in 2007, which will allow the C-130J to complete heavy air drop missions.
Block 5.4 flight testing will continue for several months, with a fleet-wide installation effort set to begin around the second quarter of 2005 if approved by air force testers.
Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 35 C-130Js to the USAir Force since 1999. The service determined that, although the aircraft complied with specifications of the contract, substantial upgrades were still required to equip the fleet to real-world operations.
· Separately, the first KC-130J Super Hercules tanker purchased under a joint 60-aircraft US Air Force/US Marine Corps multi-year contract has been delivered to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The USMC has so far ordered 33 KC-130Js, 14 of which have been delivered. The service's current production run of 20 aircraft is scheduled to be delivered by 2009.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
