Boeing has delivered to the Air Force the last of the three C-130 test aircraft upgraded with state-of-the-art cockpit equipment during the developmental phase of the C-130 avionics modernization program. The company says the program is now ready to shift into low-rate initial production. “This is a significant development for Boeing and the Air Force, as it is the most comprehensive avionics upgrade for the C-130 in its 50 years of Air Force service,” said Mahesh Reddy, Boeing’s C-130 AMP director. This third test aircraft was flown on June 30 from Boeing’s facility in San Antonio to Little Rock AFB, Ark., where it is now being prepared for programmed depot maintenance. The two other C-130 AMP test aircraft are on their way to Robins AFB, Ga., for programmed depot maintenance. The Air Force plans to upgrade roughly 220 C-130H2, -H2.5, and -H3 aircraft under AMP. (Boeing release)
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
