An Upgrade of the US Air Force's newer Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transports to a common configuration, tentatively dubbed the C-130X, is now being studied in an bid to improve interoperability.
The USAF operates different standards of C-130E and H, and wants to rationalise its fleet around two variants: the new-build C-130J and the upgraded C-130X, sometimes referred to as the C-130M.
Lockheed Martin believes that the USAF is interested in upgrading some 250-300 C-130Hs delivered to active and reserve units over the past ten years, says director of airmobility business-development John Parrish. The aircraft are likely to receive flat-panel displays, engine improvements and avionics upgrades to comply with the USAF's satellite-based Global Air Traffic Management programme.
The Air Force is conducting aC-130 requirements study to determine the fleet size, but Lockheed Martin believes that the upgrade project will not reduce the service's procurement of C-130Js. Parrish says that the sales forecast of C-130Js to the USAF is based on replacing its 250 older C-130Es.
Initial USAF C-130J orders have been for the standard, short-body model for special missions, but Parrish believes that the Air Force is now primarily interested in the stretched C-130J-30.
The USAF could release a request for proposals for the C-130X this year, and begin the upgrade programme around 2000-1. Parrish says that interoperability with the C-130J is not a factor. "The issue is the lack of interoperability between an active Air Force C-130H delivered in 1978 and an Air National Guard C-130H delivered in 1996," he says.
Source: Flight International
