FARNBOROUGH, England, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing
Company (NYSE: BA) today announced a new program that will extend the
service life of C-130 aircraft up to 30 years.
The C-130 Total Life Extension (TLE) program addresses several aircraft
modernization needs, including avionics, wiring, structures and systems.
Key benefits include an innovative, patent-pending Center Wing Box
solution, a comprehensive avionics modification and compliance with 21st
century civil aviation standards.
"The C-130 TLE program offers customers flexibility and affordability
at a fraction of the cost of a new aircraft while significantly lowering
total ownership cost," said Mike Harris, Boeing vice president and program
manager for C-130, during a media briefing at the 2006 Farnborough Air
Show. "After providing operational analysis of the entire aircraft, Boeing
is able to provide a comprehensive upgrade and modification plan that
offers C-130 owners a wide range of options."
The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) is part of the overall
TLE avionics package. The new avionics system features digital displays and
the 737 commercial airliner's proven flight management system, both of
which provide navigation, safety and communication improvements to meet
Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM)
requirements. The CNS/ATM upgrade will allow the C-130 fleet to be deployed
worldwide.
One commonality C-130 owners may face is the Center Wing Box issue.
Based on the aircraft's condition (i.e., level of corrosion or fatigue
cracks), Boeing's TLE solution allows Center Wing Box upgrades without
having to remove the box from its structure. Currently in development and
entering the testing phase, Boeing's C-130 Center Wing Box solution will
save time and reduce overall total ownership cost. It also can be applied
to a refurbished box or a new box, more than doubling the life of the box
from a fatigue crack standpoint.
"The reduction in total ownership costs will be assessed when testing
is complete," said Harris. "However, if the C-130 AMP is any indication,
then cost savings should be significant."
The C-130 AMP provides upgrades for C-130s at 1/7th the cost ($10
million to $15 million) of a new, basic C-130J aircraft ($65 million to $75
million). The enhanced digital avionics increase situational awareness for
the warfighter tenfold over old analog cockpits, dramatically increasing
information available to aircrews at a glance, simplifying tasks and
decreasing workload. Upgrade commonality brought by the AMP also allows
additional flexibility in assigning aircrews regardless of the model design
type. In addition, the C-130 AMP meets U.S. Special Forces requirements,
while the basic C-130J requires additional mission equipment enhancements.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one
of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St.
Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It
provides network-centric system solutions to its global military,
government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest
military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer,
a foremost developer of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for
U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest
contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch
services.
SOURCE Boeing
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Related links:
http://www.boeing.com
CONTACT:
Madonna Walsh, +1-314-705-0717 mobile,
+1-314-234-1362 work, +1-210-932-6640 work, or, At 2006
Farnborough Air Show, Fernando Vivanco, +1-562-810-6537, mobile,
both of Boeing
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