Aircraft

The UK Ministry of Defence is eyeing an extension to current projects to boost the self-protection and safety capabilities of its Royal Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports, with decisions expected within the coming weeks on defensive aids subsystem and explosion suppressant foam (ESF) upgrades to additional aircraft.

Operational demands in Afghanistan and Iraq and the first loss earlier this year of a C-130J following an attack using an improvised explosive device in the latter country have led to increased interest in expanding safety enhancements to the RAF's Hercules (Flight International, 20-26 February).

The MoD is now considering the possible purchase of DASS equipment for another seven of its 24 C-130Js in 2007-8, with these to join an earlier batch of aircraft modified by Marshall Aerospace in 2004-5.

Six C-130Js could also undergo an ESF upgrade between October and March 2008 under a separate project worth between £685,000 ($1.36 million) and £5 million.

Marshall is now modifying an undisclosed number of the RAF's C-130Js and older C-130Ks with the equipment, which reduces the risk of a fuel-air explosion in the aircraft's wing tanks, with the enhancement having been funded following the combat loss of a Hercules in Iraq in January 2005.

The MoD's Defence Equipment and Support organisation expects to place a contract for the possible ESF upgrade work in mid-July.

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