Aussie C-130J's to be upgraded?

[buglerbilly]

DATE:25/02/10

SOURCE:Flight InternationalCanberra plans A$45m upgrade for C-130Js

By Leithen Francis

Australia has approved an A$45 million ($40 million) upgrade to its air force's fleet of 12 Lockheed Martin C-130J military transports.

"The Block 7.0 Upgrade will enable Australia's fleet of C-130J to meet new global air traffic management requirements and continue to operate in global airspace," says defence minister John Faulkner.

"These will address system obsolescence, maintain coalition compatibility and enable these aircraft to comply with global air traffic standards."

The work will be part of the C-130J Joint User Group Global Project Arrangement, a multi-national programme that enables several operators to upgrade them together. This includes the USA, the UK, Canada and Italy.

The Royal Australian Air Force uses its C-130Js on missions such as air logistics support, aero-medical evacuation, search and survivor assistance, troop transport and airdrop operations. Three aircraft are based in the Middle East, and the fleet is often called upon for operations on short notice in South-East Asia and the Pacific region.

[buglerbilly]

Operative Date Reached for C-130J Through-Life Support

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued March 29, 2010)

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has reached an important milestone with industry partner Australian Aerospace and its prime subcontractor Lockheed Martin in the Through Life Support (TLS) contract for the fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft.

Australian Aerospace assumed responsibility for C-130J platform stewardship, engineering management, logistics management, and aircraft deeper maintenance from 11 March 2010.

Working together, the DMO, Australian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and members of the RAAF have been able to achieve this significant effort on schedule.

Group Captain Michael Brown, Officer Commanding of Air Lift Systems Program Office, said teaming with industry under this contract coupled with performance based contract extensions will incentivise industry to improve efficiency and increase availability of Hercules.

The $292 million TLS contract was awarded in March 2009 for provision of deeper level maintenance, engineering support and logistics management for the C-130J.

"Achievement of the C-130J TLS Operative Date is the culmination of both significant effort and collaboration by both Defence Industry and the DMO,” Group Captain Brown said.

Under the TLS contract greater responsibility will be transferred from Defence to Industry for logistics management and engineering.

“The achievement of Operative Date means that Industry commenced providing the full range of recurring services under the TLS contract from 11 March 2010,” Group Captain Brown said.

The TLS contractor team consists of Australian Aerospace and sub-contractor Lockheed Martin. Propulsion support is provided separately by Standard Aero. Last November, Australian Aerospace inducted its first C-130J into its deeper level maintenance facility at RAAF Base Richmond. It will make its first post-maintenance test flight late this month.

The TLS contract covers an initial six-year period with further annual extensions available based on performance and efficiency potentially providing support until C-130J Planned Withdrawal Date of 2030.

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[buglerbilly]

And for our older Hercs.............

C-130H Hercules Maintenance Contract Signed

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued July 5, 2010)

Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet has today announced that Defence has signed a new three year contract with Qantas Defence Services for the ongoing maintenance and support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s C-130H Hercules fleet.

Mr Combet said the A$136 million contract was good news for industry and local employment, securing jobs for about 200 maintenance workers.

“Qantas Defence Services has maintained Australia’s 12 strong C-130H Hercules fleet since 1999, demonstrating that local companies can deliver quality work and value for money,” Mr Combet said.

“This contract covers a range of maintenance, engineering and logistics support activities, including T56 engine support for both the C-130H Hercules and AP3C Orion aircraft, and will directly support 200 jobs based at RAAF Base Richmond.”

Mr Combet said the contract reflected the Government’s approach to Defence procurement and sustainment as outlined in the Government’s industry statement, Building Defence Capability: A Policy for a Smarter and More Agile Defence Industry Base.

Qantas Defence Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas Airways Limited and has an annual turnover in excess of A$140 million and employs about 500 people.

The company provides maintenance, supply, deeper maintenance and training support to a range of major Defence aerospace capability systems.

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[Gubler, A.]

Always a laugh how the uniformed national airline think they are in some kind of a war or something...



"I keep the tax free and danger pay while living in Dubai"
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[JimWH]

Abe I'm in the the most choco part of the Big Green, and let me assure you that we giggle at the Blue Inadequates whenever we get the chance