UK’s Marshall Aerospace To Service South Africa’s C-130s

LONDON–UK-based C-130 Hercules maintenance, repair and overhaul specialist Marshall Aerospace has been awarded a contract to service and modify the South African Air Force’s fleet of C-130s. 

The Cambridge, England-based company will perform depth maintenance on the aircraft, replace a secondary flight display on each C-130 and install an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast – Out (ADSB-Out) transponder to boost the aircraft’s electronic conspicuity. 

After testing the modifications, Marshall will supply South Africa’s Denel with service bulletin kits containing all parts, components and instructions needed to perform the same modifications on four additional C-130s in South Africa. 

South Africa is spending 1 billion South African rand ($52.2 million) on upgrades to six of the C-130s still in service. 

Marshall Aerospace had conducted a previous upgrade program in the early 2000s. It included the installation of a digital autopilot, flight displays, a navigation systems upgrade, communications and self-defense integration, and enhancements to the electrical generation system. 

The first of the aircraft arrived at Cambridge on Aug. 11 after departing South Africa on Aug. 8. South African media reports said the departure was delayed due to overflight clearance issues arising from airspace closures over Niger. 

South Africa joins a growing number of countries looking to Marshall to perform maintenance and upgrades on their Hercules fleets. The company is already looking after C-130Js operated by India and Qatar.  

In 2020, the company was also selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to perform depot-level maintenance on its KC-130J Hercules fleet. 

The foreign work is particularly crucial after the UK Royal Air Force retired its C-130 fleet earlier this year after more than 55 years of service. Marshall supported the UK fleet throughout its operational life. 

“Having yet another global operator flag in our hangars highlights our well-established leadership as a global C-130 support specialist and our reputation for quality work,” Marshall Aerospace Managing Director Neil McManus said.