The first flight of a Lockheed Martin C-130 upgraded by Boeing under the US Air Force's Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP) has been postponed to allow for additional software qualification testing, writes Graham Warwick.
The C-130H2 had been expected to fly in San Antonio, Texas this month, but the first flight is now scheduled for between 30 September and 16 October, says Boeing.
First flight was originally planned for March. The latest delay occurred, Boeing says, when the USAF requested additional software qualification to be performed before the debut, rather than after as previously planned. Earlier this year, the USAF decided not to upgrade its C-130Es, removing about 170 of the 430-plus aircraft to have been upgraded under the AMP.
The USAF, meanwhile, has awarded study contracts to Arinc Engineering Services, L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, Northrop Grumman, a Rockwell Collins/Boeing/Honeywell team and Smiths Aerospace to refine concepts for an aircraft modernisation programme for the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 tanker/transport. Award of a contract to upgrade the 59-aircraft fleet is expected in March 2008.
The air force wants to equip the KC-10 with integrated flightdeck displays, enhanced flight management system, GPS navigation, satellite communication, colour weather radar, electronic charts and manuals, and flight data and flightdeck voice recorders.
The US Navy has scheduled an industry day for 30 August to kick off an avionics upgrade for US Marine Corps KC-130T tankers and Navy C-130T transports, and "desires to leverage off existing modernisation programmes".
Source: Flight International
