The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, Ga., now owns the mission of C-130J sustainment, taking the task over from the product team at Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. ASC had contracted for sustainment of the new airlifters, while the WRALC—over a period of three years—developed a partnership with Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce, and Dowty Propellers to work with the ALC on maintaining the new Hercules airlifters. According to the Robins Rev-Up, ALC officials call the action a major milestone for the C-130J program. By 2011, officials expect to have C-130J repair capabilities activated at all three of the Air Force’s ALCs. (The other two are Ogden ALC, Hill AFB, Utah, and Oklahoma City ALC, Tinker AFB, Okla.)
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.