Upgraded CC-130J Hercules aircraft

October 18, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

On October 13, 2016, the Royal Canadian Air Force received the 17^th and final upgraded Hercules, delivered by Lockheed Martin and Cascade Aerospace on budget. This marks the completion of a major milestone in the modification program to upgrade the CC-130J Hercules fleet’s software and hardware.

What is this latest upgrade?

The latest upgrade consists of significant improvements to navigation, communications, and maintenance capabilities that will ensure that CC-130J Hercules’ remains at the forefront in airlift operations. It includes a new flight management system, civil-certified global positioning system, satellite communications, and Link-16 tactical data link. In addition, an improved maintenance management system and changes to the hydraulic system will improve aircraft availability and operational effectiveness. In real terms, this latest upgrade will allow the Hercules to:

• fly more efficiently amongst large commercial aircraft in heavily congested and controlled airspace;
• perform much more fuel-efficient long-range flights and conduct approaches in poor visibility;
• receive critical mission information from allied ground, air, and naval partners in a high-speed, encrypted link; and
• facilitate low-level tactical flying.

What steps were taken to complete the upgrade?

The upgrade contract was signed on November 8, 2013, and the first aircraft underwent a prototype installation trial from January to October 2015 at Lockheed Martin’s CC-130J production facility in Marietta, Georgia. After successful completion and testing of the prototype upgrade package, the remaining 16 aircraft began modification under a subcontract from Lockheed Martin to the Canadian company Cascade Aerospace in October 2015. Cascade Aerospace is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and is an operating unit of IMP Aerospace & Defence, a Canadian company headquartered in Halifax.

While the Original Equipment Manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has completed trials on three other countries’ aircraft, Cascade Aerospace is the first commercial entity worldwide to complete this upgrade outside of the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia.

How much did it cost?

In November 2013, a contract amendment valued at US$110 millionwas signed with Lockheed Martin for work to modify the fleet to meet increased global aviation standards and operate in civil and military airspace without hindrance. 

These upgrades have been completed within budget, and as per the program schedule established between the Government of Canada and Lockheed Martin.

In March 2014, a contract amendment valued at Can$32.5 million was signed with the Canadian company CAE for updates to the CC-130J aircrew training program.

What are the next upgrade steps for the CC-130J Hercules fleet?

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), in conjunction with CAE, Lockheed Martin, and Cascade Aerospace, is currently upgrading the maintenance and aircrew training systems at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, where the fleet is based. It includes simulators, classrooms, publications, and courseware.

To complement the most recent modifications, Lockheed Martin and the RCAF are upgrading all of the CC-130J maintenance and operator publications to Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals. These manuals compress volumes of text into CD-ROMs or online pages that may include sound and video, and allow users to locate needed information far more rapidly than in paper manuals. The RCAF also is working with Jacobs Technology to deliver Mission Planning Software that will be compatible with the latest upgrade, allowing the rapid entry of data on the aircraft by the pilots.

All upgrades are planned to be completed by fall 2017.

Finally, the RCAF will be addressing recommendations from the test reports and installing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast transponders on the fleet by 2020, as mandated by Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency regulations to permit a wider access to international airspace.

About the CC-130J

The CC-130J Hercules is the workhorse of the RCAF’s transport fleet. The CC-130J Hercules is a four-engine, fixed-wing turboprop aircraft that can carry up to 92 combat troops or 128 non-combat passengers. It is used for a wide range of missions, including troop transport, tactical airlift, aircrew training, and more.

From 2010 to 2012, the RCAF acquired 17 Hercules J-model from Lockheed Martin. All aircraft were acquired through a Direct Commercial Sale. Lockheed Martin is also the in-service support provider for the RCAF CC-130J Hercules fleet.

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Related Products

Canada’s CC-130J Hercules now has improved navigation, communication, and maintenance capabilities

Associated Links

• CC-130J Hercules
• Hercules crews from Commonwealth train together
• Lockheed Martin: C-130J Super Hercules
• Cascade Aerospace

Contacts

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca