Tue, Jun 10, 2008
Modernized Hercules Undergoing Tests At Edwards
Boeing said this week the first C-130 Avionics Modernization
Program (AMP) aircraft, H2, has completed its 100th flight. The
aircraft, which is undergoing flight testing at Edwards Air Force
Base (AFB), CA has flown several cross-country sorties and is ahead
of development schedule. The milestone also marks the halfway point
in the aircraft's flight-test program.
"This achievement is a testament to the robustness and
reliability of the AMP systems," said Mike Harris, Boeing vice
president and C-130 AMP program manager. "The systems' maturity
allows the flight-test program to keep up with a high frequency of
flight operations. We are very pleased with the aircraft's
performance and with the Boeing and US Air Force team who together
are making AMP a success."
Two C-130 AMP aircraft are currently located at the Air Force
Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, and both continue to exceed
ground- and flight-testing expectations.
"Testing is progressing ahead of schedule," Harris said. With
the majority of the AMP aircraft's systems exercised, some testing
is now being used to gather data to support the next software
build, Core Complete 2.2.
A third aircraft, H3, is undergoing modifications and upgrades
at Boeing Support Systems' San Antonio facility. The aircraft will
receive a fully integrated, night-vision-goggle compatible, digital
glass cockpit and a new digital avionics system.
The aircraft is one of more than 200 C-130 aircraft that Boeing
Support Systems will modify under the AMP initiative, which
provides enhanced digital avionics, increasing situational
awareness for the warfighter. The AMP upgrade also brings
commonality to the C-130 fleet and offers flexibility in assigning
aircrew, regardless of the model design type. The Air Force awarded
Boeing the AMP contract in 2001.
Boeing plans to begin Low Rate Initial Production next year.
More News
Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a corners>[...]
A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40 Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of >[...]
Line Up And Wait (LUAW) Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance >[...]
Contributing To The Accident Was The Pilot’s Use Of Methamphetamine... Analysis: The pilot departed on a local flight to perform low-altitude maneuvers in a nearby desert val>[...]
From 2015 (YouTube Version): Overcoming Obstacles To Achieve Their Dreams… At EAA AirVenture 2015, FedEx arrived with one of their Airbus freight-hauling aircraft and placed>[...]
Airbus Racer Helicopter Demonstrator First Flight Part of Clean Sky 2 Initiative
See All