NZ Ministry of Defence, The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has welcomed the decision made by Cabinet to upgrade the self protection system on its five C-130 Hercules aircraft.
'I have every confidence in the current protection system and with the ability of our aircraft and crews. We do operate in hostile environments however and so the upgrade to these systems will further ensure that our people and aircraft remain safe” said Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Peter Stockwell.
“The decision to start the upgrade of the protection system immediately is also sensible.
“The inclusion of the self protection upgrade into the current project will eliminate the requirement for each C-130 Hercules to return to L-3 Communications Spar Aerospace after each life extension project has been completed. From an aircraft availability perspective this is great news,” Air Commodore Stockwell said.
The Hercules are currently undergoing work as part of the C-130 Life Extension Project which will extend the operational capability of the C-130 out until 2017.
The upgrade of the C-130 fleet is expected to be completed by early to mid 2011.
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