New standards of military aircraft longevity and global transport are being achieved by Lockheed Martin's ubiquitous C-130, which entered USAF service just over 50 years ago, in December 1956. In addition to the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, C-130s have been or are being flown by more than 70 other government agencies, plus around 150 commercial operators. The greatly modernized C-130J also remains in wide-scale production and service.

Many of the 2,150 C-130s sold before C-130J manufacture started in the mid-1990s are still in global operation, and they have generated ever-expanding markets for upgrade and modernization programs. Among many recent examples, Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), as prime contractor, teamed with Rockwell Collins in a joint initial contract announced last November for integrated communications, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) Flight2 avionics upgrades of six RTAF Lockheed C-130Hs.

The upgrades include an Ethernet-based integrated processing center (IPC) with GATM capabilities, large format multi-function liquid-crystal displays, multi-mode receiver, TCAS II traffic alert and collision avoidance systems, weather radar, autopilot, SATCOM, and HF and V/UHF radios. This award represents the latest in several successful Rockwell Collins CNS/ATM upgrade programs, including U.S. Air Force C/KC-135 GATM aircraft fleet modernization, and other international C-130 programs.

As prime avionics systems integrator, Rockwell Collins will supply an installation team and facilities to supervise upgrades of the first two C-130s, but TAI will implement modifications to the remaining RTAF Hercules at its Takhli air-base plant, for 2009 completion. The RTAF acquired six C-130Hs and six stretched C-130H-30s from 1980 to 1983, and it plans follow-on upgrades of its remaining six Hercules.

A C-130 Avionics Modernization Program was initiated in January by representatives of the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) Command, SSM and Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade, for implementation by TUSAS Aerospace Industries (TuAI), as prime contractor. The TuAF's "Erciyes" Program will involve avionics modernization of six C-130Bs and seven C-130Es with new generation digital flight-deck and avionic systems, and a ground mission planning station. TuAI will undertake design, production and installation of the avionics installations for the first two C-130s. The remaining 11 aircraft will be modernized at TuAF's3 2nd Air Forces Supply and Maintenance Center under TuAI supervision.

Backed by 40 years specialist experience with C-130 maintenance and modifications, Britain's Marshall Aerospace has launched a new center-wing life-extension program, to extend continued Hercules flight operations into the next decade. Recent reviews from Lockheed Martin have prompted re-examination of the remaining life of many older C-130s. The Marshall Aerospace solution offers C-130 operators up to 15 years life-extension (subject to operational usage), after replacement of fatigue-critical wing-structure items. This it considers particularly attractive to C-130 operators wishing to maintain and maximize their existing airlift capability within current budgetary restraints.

Apart from obvious advantages of life extension, main benefits for operators are claimed to include avoiding extensive, lengthy, costly and repetitive future structural inspections, to maximize aircraft availability. C-130J/K aircraft operated by Britain's Royal Air Force will receive Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) support through a recently approved five-year Hercules Integrated Operation Support (HIOS) Program contract worth a potential $52 million, placed with Smiths Aerospace by Lockheed Martin.

With options up to an additional five years, the U.K. contract will extend RAF C-130J/K operations through 2016.

In addition, in early February, Britain's Rolls-Royce group signed two U.S. Air Force contracts for C-130J aftermarket services and spares worth up to $235 million over five years. Rolls-Royce will provide comprehensive services for its lightweight, modular 4,600 SHP RR/Allison AE 2100D3 engines, Dowty R-391 propellers, and associated propulsion system items on C-130Js flown by the U.S. Air Force, USAF Training Command, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and USAF Special Operations Command.

The agreement covers the entire C-130J propulsion system, including support for all supply and off-wing maintenance on engines and propellers, and provides depot maintenance for the nacelles. Rolls-Royce will supply 17 AE 2100D3 engines and additional spare parts required to ensure full propulsion system availability; provide field representatives on-site at operational bases; and propulsion system program management and technical support by the 330th Tactical Air Support Group HQ at Robins Air Force Base. The company also will continue operation of the U.S. Air Force Inventory Control Point established in Indianapolis, in 2006. This will further support pre-C-130J Rolls-Royce (now Allison) T56 turboprops.

In other Hercules developments, Air Force crews at Hurlburt Field Fla., recently completed installation of a new 30-mm Bushmaster cannon in the first of its 13 AC-130U Spooky gunships. This retains its massive left forward door-mounted 105-mm howitzer, but replaces the now-obsolete 40-mm Bofors and 25-mm Gatling guns with Bushmasters. AFSOC's 4th Special Operations Squadron operates 13 AC-130U and eight AC-130H gunships in its 16th SOS, both located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The fleet-wide modification should be completed by FY2010, followed by similar plans to install 30-mm cannon in AFSOC's AC-130H Spectres.