Boeing Receives Third C-130 for Avionics Modernization
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 27, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] yesterday inducted the third U.S. Air Force C-130 into the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) at company facilities in San Antonio, Texas, where it will receive a fully integrated, night vision goggle-compatible digital glass cockpit and a new digital avionics system.
The aircraft, assigned to the West Virginia Air National Guard's (ANG) 130th Airlift Wing, is the third of more than 200 C-130 aircraft that Boeing Support Systems will modify under the AMP initiative.
"We are very excited about starting the modifications on the third aircraft," said Mike Harris, Boeing vice president and C-130 AMP program manager. "We have learned a lot from working on the first two AMP aircraft, and we are ready to apply those experiences as we start work on H3 (the third aircraft)."
The first two C-130 AMP aircraft, H2 and H2.5, are currently at the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where they continue to undergo ground and flight testing. Testing on those aircraft is currently more than 10 percent ahead of schedule.
The second aircraft flew Sept. 25 at the test center following the installation of Core Complete 1 software. The software upgrade provides a fully functional Flight Management System aboard the AMP aircraft, eliminating the need for the navigator position in the cockpit.
Before delivering the aircraft to Boeing, the West Virginia ANG crew spent a few days at Boeing's Long Beach, Calif., site to better understand what AMP will bring to the platform.
"The crew was able to spend some time in our Systems Integration Lab and see for themselves how AMP will improve their aircraft," said Harris. "Our focus is on our customer. This was a great opportunity to talk with them and for them to better understand what AMP looks like and how it works."
Boeing's C-130 AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that significantly increase situational awareness for the warfighter. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the AMP contract in June 2001. The AMP upgrade commonality brought to the fleet of C-130 transport aircraft also offers additional flexibility in assigning aircrew, regardless of the model design type.
The aircraft, assigned to the West Virginia Air National Guard's (ANG) 130th Airlift Wing, is the third of more than 200 C-130 aircraft that Boeing Support Systems will modify under the AMP initiative.
"We are very excited about starting the modifications on the third aircraft," said Mike Harris, Boeing vice president and C-130 AMP program manager. "We have learned a lot from working on the first two AMP aircraft, and we are ready to apply those experiences as we start work on H3 (the third aircraft)."
The first two C-130 AMP aircraft, H2 and H2.5, are currently at the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where they continue to undergo ground and flight testing. Testing on those aircraft is currently more than 10 percent ahead of schedule.
The second aircraft flew Sept. 25 at the test center following the installation of Core Complete 1 software. The software upgrade provides a fully functional Flight Management System aboard the AMP aircraft, eliminating the need for the navigator position in the cockpit.
Before delivering the aircraft to Boeing, the West Virginia ANG crew spent a few days at Boeing's Long Beach, Calif., site to better understand what AMP will bring to the platform.
"The crew was able to spend some time in our Systems Integration Lab and see for themselves how AMP will improve their aircraft," said Harris. "Our focus is on our customer. This was a great opportunity to talk with them and for them to better understand what AMP looks like and how it works."
Boeing's C-130 AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that significantly increase situational awareness for the warfighter. The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the AMP contract in June 2001. The AMP upgrade commonality brought to the fleet of C-130 transport aircraft also offers additional flexibility in assigning aircrew, regardless of the model design type.
Boeing Delivers Third C-40C to U.S. Air Force Reserve Command
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 20, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Friday delivered the third of three C-40C transport aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), providing a critical airlift asset to government leaders on official business.
Maj. Gen. Robert Duignan, commander, 4th Air Force, accepted the aircraft at Boeing facilities in Seattle and flew it to Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Ill., where it will begin service with the AFRC.
The 932nd and 375th Airlift Wings, units of the AFRC and Air Mobility Command respectively, will use the Next-Generation 737-700 Boeing Business Jet derivative to provide congressional delegations and senior government personnel safe, secure and reliable transportation -- often to remote locations around the world -- while supporting their need to conduct in-flight business.
"The leading-edge capabilities and 21st century capacities of the multi-mission C-40C provide us with an advanced platform for taking great care of our distinguished visitors and accomplishing a range of essential missions, including air evacuation and cargo transportation and, when necessary, maintaining team integrity for critical missions," said Duignan. "The C-40C has the mission legs and operational versatility we've always hoped for, and the Boeing team, as always, has delivered the right-sized platform and the right capabilities to do the job."
Maureen Carlson, Boeing C-40C program manager, added, "In working together with our Commercial Airplanes unit, Mission Integration Center and key supplier Greenpoint Technologies, we incorporated lessons learned on the first two aircraft to deliver this third one six weeks ahead of schedule. This will enable our Air Force Reserve and Air Mobility Command customers to assure availability of a critical asset to our nation's leaders."
Aircraft modifications include military avionics that augment the 737's commercial flight deck; satellite communications equipment for passenger use; a reconfigurable interior that comprises 40 business-class seats, two work areas with conference table or divan and accommodations for 11 crew members; and auxiliary fuel tanks that extend the aircraft's range to approximately 4,400 nautical miles.
The airplane joins a family of 18 C-40s already in service with the U.S. government: three C-40Cs with the Air National Guard at Andrews AFB, Md., as well as the two already delivered to AFRC at Scott AFB; four Air Force C-40Bs supporting the U.S. Combatant Commands at Andrews, Ramstein AFB, Germany, and Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and the U.S. Navy Reserve's nine C-40As stationed at Naval Air Stations North Island, Calif., Fort Worth, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla.
Maj. Gen. Robert Duignan, commander, 4th Air Force, accepted the aircraft at Boeing facilities in Seattle and flew it to Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Ill., where it will begin service with the AFRC.
The 932nd and 375th Airlift Wings, units of the AFRC and Air Mobility Command respectively, will use the Next-Generation 737-700 Boeing Business Jet derivative to provide congressional delegations and senior government personnel safe, secure and reliable transportation -- often to remote locations around the world -- while supporting their need to conduct in-flight business.
"The leading-edge capabilities and 21st century capacities of the multi-mission C-40C provide us with an advanced platform for taking great care of our distinguished visitors and accomplishing a range of essential missions, including air evacuation and cargo transportation and, when necessary, maintaining team integrity for critical missions," said Duignan. "The C-40C has the mission legs and operational versatility we've always hoped for, and the Boeing team, as always, has delivered the right-sized platform and the right capabilities to do the job."
Maureen Carlson, Boeing C-40C program manager, added, "In working together with our Commercial Airplanes unit, Mission Integration Center and key supplier Greenpoint Technologies, we incorporated lessons learned on the first two aircraft to deliver this third one six weeks ahead of schedule. This will enable our Air Force Reserve and Air Mobility Command customers to assure availability of a critical asset to our nation's leaders."
Aircraft modifications include military avionics that augment the 737's commercial flight deck; satellite communications equipment for passenger use; a reconfigurable interior that comprises 40 business-class seats, two work areas with conference table or divan and accommodations for 11 crew members; and auxiliary fuel tanks that extend the aircraft's range to approximately 4,400 nautical miles.
The airplane joins a family of 18 C-40s already in service with the U.S. government: three C-40Cs with the Air National Guard at Andrews AFB, Md., as well as the two already delivered to AFRC at Scott AFB; four Air Force C-40Bs supporting the U.S. Combatant Commands at Andrews, Ramstein AFB, Germany, and Hickam AFB, Hawaii; and the U.S. Navy Reserve's nine C-40As stationed at Naval Air Stations North Island, Calif., Fort Worth, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla.
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