The US Air Force's Directorate of Operations has endorsed endorsed Boeing’s Avionics Modernisation Program (AMP) head-up display and head-down primary flight display as the Lockheed Martin C-130’s primary flight reference.”.
The HUD displays critical information including airspeed, altitude and attitude data, plus flightpath information in the pilots' eyeline. The head-down instrument can then be used to display other data.
The air force's endorsement comes after four years of design reviews, evaluations and client demonstrations. "We involved the air force customer from the beginning of the design reviews," says Mahesh Reddy, Boeing's C-130 AMP programme manager.
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"This allowed them to ask questions along the way, become familiar with the product and make all necessary adjustments to the HUD design," he adds.
Boeing delivered the third and last trials aircraft in the C-130 AMP programme in June, when the system was approved for low-rate initial production (LRIP). Boeing will deliver 20 AMP kits during the LRIP phase.
The first LRIP aircraft was scheduled for induction in August and the second in October at Warner Robins air logistics centre, Georgia, where the air force will perform the Lot 1 installations. Boeing delivered the first two AMP kits and will upgrade five of the 20 LRIP aircraft.
Changes to the C-130 under the AMP programme include a fully integrated, night vision goggle-compatible, digital glass cockpit and digital avionics for fleet commonality.
Source: Flight International
