C-130 Life Extension

Client: Royal New Zealand Air Force

Description

Life extension programme for the five C-130H Hercules aircraft operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The scope of the project is the replacement of specific mechanical, avionic, and structural components, and the design and installation of flight deck communications and navigation improvements to meet evolving air traffic management regulations.

Government approval

In December 2004 the Government approved a project budget of NZ$226 million excluding GST.

In May 2007 the Government approved a further $21.2million excluding GST to upgrade the self-protection system fitted to the aircraft.

Contract

A contract was signed in December 2004 with L-3 Communications Spar Aerospace of Edmonton Canada to undertake the Life Extension programme.

L-3 Spar modified the first two aircraft at their Edmonton facility.

SPAR has engaged New Zealand company Safe Air to undertake the modification to aircraft 3-5 at their facility in Blenheim. On 22 January 2009 L-3 Spar announced the closure of the Edmonton facility. L-3IS of Waco Texas will assume responsibility as the prime contractor.

The upgrade to the self-protection system will be fitted on the second aircraft in Edmonton, with the other four aircraft being fitted at Safe Air.

Current status

Modification to the first and second aircraft at L3's Edmonton facility has been completed and both have been flown to the L-3IS facility in Waco Texas for ongoing software loads and Flight Test Software. Software. The first aircraft (the prototype) has returned to New Zealand, and has been inducted into Safe Air for servicing and additional modifications prior to final testing of some elements of the LEP prior to Acceptance. The second aircraft (the first “production aircraft”) remains at Waco, Texas for further flight testing of software. The schedule for the remaining aircraft is currently under review.

For further information see the Royal New Zealand Air Force web site (www.airforce.mil.nz) or contact:

Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
PO Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 496 0678
Fax: +64 4 496 0859
Email: info@defence.govt.nz