L3Harris Shops C-130H Upgrade With Production Decision Imminent

SINGAPORE—L3Harris expects a U.S. Air Force production decision on a C-130H cockpit modernization program this year as it pitches the Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2 (AMP Inc. 2) to more international operators of the Hercules.

 

AMP Inc. 2 is a $690 million effort to overhaul the legacy aircraft’s cockpit with features including a new autopilot, engine instruments and display systems, flight management system and flight data recorder, among others. The company received the initial award in 2019 with installation complete on three engineering and manufacturing development aircraft, says David Coody, the director of strategic business operations at L3Harris Integrated Aerospace Systems.

 

The U.S. Air Force plans to outfit 124 C-130Hs and 10 LC-130Hs with the system. L3Harris has also received a contract from Morocco for the effort, and more are expected. For example, Singapore announced plans to buy used C-130Hs to replace its oldest C-130Bs and this could be a possibility, among many others, Coody says.

 

So far in test, “no significant items are identified, so we’re very happy with the progress,” Coody said at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 5.

 

The Milestone C decision this year from the U.S. Air Force will begin the production phase, Coody says. The company is conducting design activities for the Morocco program. Progress on these has sparked more interest, though L3Harris would not identify potential customers.

 

L3Harris is also progressing on an upgrade for U.S. Coast Guard HC-130Js. The Minotaur Mission Systems Suite includes upgraded sensors, radar and surveillance equipment. The Coast Guard announced Feb. 4 it received the 18^th upgraded aircraft from L3Harris, and Coody says there is international interest in the system.