The Royal Australian Air Drive’s (RAAF) fleet of C-130J Hercules plane has achieved ultimate operational functionality (FOC) following the block upgrades they underwent earlier this 12 months.
Underneath Undertaking AIR 5440, the plane have seen a lift to functionality, reliability and mission readiness.
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The 12 plane, operated by No. 37 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond, have been introduced as much as Block 8.1 configuration via updates to plane techniques and safety-critical software program and {hardware}.
The primary plane was upgraded within the US by Lockheed Martin, with assist from the US Air Drive, whereas the remaining 11 have been modified at RAAF Base Richmond by Airbus Australia Pacific, the fleet’s sustainment accomplice.
The upgrades included main enhancements to communications and navigation, with new datalink functionality, built-in satellite tv for pc voice, upgraded high-frequency radios and enhanced instrument strategy techniques.
Coaching techniques have additionally been up to date, with the C-130J Full Flight Simulator upgraded by CAE Australia to mirror the plane’s new configuration.
Lockheed Martin vp and common supervisor for Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, Trish Pagan, mentioned the milestone underscored the corporate’s long-standing partnership with Australia.
“The completion of the Block 8.1.1 improve for the RAAF’s C-130J fleet is a major achievement for Lockheed Martin and our Australian companions,” Ms Pagan mentioned.
“It ensures the RAAF’s Tremendous Hercules stays on the forefront of tactical airlift functionality, supporting each army operations and humanitarian missions properly into the long run.”
Lockheed Martin Australia C-130J program supervisor Nicole Davidson mentioned 11 of the 12 plane have been upgraded in Australia.
“Delivering the overwhelming majority of those upgrades domestically demonstrates the depth and class of Australia’s C-130J sustainment enterprise,” Ms Davidson mentioned. “It displays the power of our trade partnerships and the worth of a sovereign industrial base able to delivering superior functionality upgrades for the RAAF.”
Australia additionally performs a key worldwide position within the ongoing improvement of the Tremendous Hercules via its membership of the C-130J Tremendous Hercules Joint Consumer Group (JUG). The group guides the plane’s block improve program, making certain the platform stays fashionable, interoperable and operationally related.
The Block 8.1 software program commonplace has already been adopted by a rising variety of worldwide operators, together with america Air Drive, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, in addition to Norway, France, Germany and New Zealand.
The plane initially entered RAAF service in 1999 and has continued to offer a medium airlift functionality for the Australian Defence Drive.
The medium-sized tactical airlifter can carry roughly 120 passengers or as much as 20 tonnes of cargo and is principally used to ship provides to airfields with brief unsurfaced runways.
Australia’s dedication to the Tremendous Hercules extends past sustainment. In 2023, the Australian Authorities formally accepted the acquisition of 20 new C-130J plane to exchange and increase the prevailing fleet, with deliveries anticipated to begin from late 2027.
The C-130J Tremendous Hercules is operated by 23 nations worldwide, with greater than 560 plane delivered to this point. The worldwide fleet has accrued greater than three million flight hours, cementing the plane’s status because the world’s main tactical airlifter.
