Spirit Aeronautics is the latest company to offer an avionics upgrade for aging Lockheed C-130H Hercules airlifters. The Columbus,Ohio-based MRO says that it has created a modernization path that uses commercially proven, FAA-approved systems. Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) flew the first of its C-130Hs to be upgraded in cooperation with Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
According to Rick Ochs, chairman and chief executive officer of Spirit Aeronautics, the company’s solution “provides aircrews with wide area augmentation system [WAAS] GPS-based lateral navigation and localizer performance (LNAV) with vertical guidance (LPV) landing approach capability using commercial off-the-shelf equipment. In addition, this project provides for a direct path to acquire NextGen capability by meeting the WAAS GPS system requirements for ADS-B approvals. We are very proud to offer our C-130H/L-382 Hercules solution to enhance the safety of aircrews without the undue costs in time and money normally required to gain a much needed operational capability that is long overdue."
The U.S. Air Force had a plan to upgrade hundreds of C-130Hs in the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) contracted from Boeing. After a checkered history of technical problems, cost overruns and procurement delays, the AMP seemed to be making progress in 2011-12. But the Air Force decided to withdraw funding in Fiscal Year 2013, in favor of buying some more new C-130Js from Lockheed Martin, and retiring most of the earlier models. However, Congress has pressed the service to re-instigate an upgrade for about 150 C-130Hs operated by the Air National Guard. Spirit Aeronautics claims that its C-130H solution provides “a tremendous cost saving.”
The Israeli C-130H upgrade includes wing replacement and a new radar as well as digital avionics. The IAF says that it is receiving “basically a new aircraft that will possess significantly upgraded operational capabilities, especially in the field of low altitude flight and flying in dark nights.” It plans to operate the aircraft until 2040.
Mississippi Aerospace Corporation (MAC) has asked us to point out that it was a major participant in the Israeli C-130H upgrade. The Piacayune, MS-based provider of aircraft modification and engineering services notes that it integrated, installed and tested the new radar, wing box and digital avionics over a nine-month period. - C.P.
