19 June 2019

Paris Air Show 2019: Collins Aerospace receives C-130 propeller, propeller system upgrade contracts

by Pat Host

The Pentagon and NATO have awarded Collins Aerospace contracts for Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules medium transport/multi-role propeller and propeller system upgrades.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded Collins Aerospace a deal for NP2000 propeller upgrades for 24 C-130H aircraft for the US Air National Guard (ANG), according to a company statement. This is in addition to the 12 NP2000 propeller upgrades Collins Aerospace has already completed, bringing the total number of C-130H ANG propeller upgrades the company has been awarded to 36.

Collins Aerospace was also awarded a USD25 million long-term repair contract with Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) to support maintenance of the NP2000’s electronic propeller control system (EPCS). In 2018, Collins Aerospace was awarded a contract to support NP2000 propeller upgrades for 24 Lockheed Martin C/KC-130T aircraft for the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The total value of the ANG and NAVAIR awards Collins Aerospace has received is more than USD300 million for 60 propeller upgrades and more than 100 new propeller control systems.

Collins Aerospace’s NP2000 propeller upgrades on a US Air National Guard C-130H aircraft. (Collins Aerospace)

Jean-Francois Chanut, Collins Aerospace propeller systems general manager, told Jane’s on 14 June ahead of the Paris Air Show (PAS) that the company embarked onto a large retrofit programme with the ANG and US Navy (USN) about 18 months ago to upgrade C-130H aircraft with the NP2000 propellers. Collins Aerospace, he said, has received orders to upgrade 60 aircraft and has, so far, completed 18 upgrades. The company will deliver the 42 remaining upgrades over the next 18–24 months.

The Pentagon and NATO have awarded Collins Aerospace contracts for Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules m...

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