The first test aircraft in the Air Force’s C-130 avionics modernization program has completed its 100th flight, reaching the halfway point in its flight program ahead of schedule, lead contractor Boeing announced June 9. This aircraft, a C-130H2 model, has been flying from Edwards AFB, Calif., and has already made several cross-country jaunts, the company said. “This achievement is a testament to the robustness and reliability of the AMP systems,” said Mike Harris, Boeing VP and C-130 AMP program manager. “We are very pleased with the aircraft’s performance.” A second test aircraft, an H2.5 airframe is also flying at Edwards and a third test platform, a C-130H3, is undergoing modifications and upgrades at Boeing’s facility in San Antonio, Tex., and is expected to fly early next year. The Air Force’s current plans call for upgrading 222 older model C-130s under the AMP with a fully integrated, night-vision-goggle compatible, digital glass cockpit and a new digital avionics system. Pentagon acquisition czar John Young plans a meeting later this month to decide whether to allow the program to advance into low-rate initial production.
In written testimony to the Senate, the nominee to oversee the Air Force’s installations and energy enterprise endorsed the continued privatization of military housing and called for the department to think more during the acquisition process about how it will power new weapons systems when the logistics supply chain is…
