L-3 Communications, NEW YORK: L-3 Communications announced today that its SPAR Aerospace Limited subsidiary has inducted at its Edmonton, Canada facilities the first Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft as part of an extensive six-year Life Extension Program (LEP). This contract was awarded to L-3 SPAR in December 2004 and has an estimated value of greater than $100 million.
The RNZAF C-130H LEP is the single most comprehensive avionics, mechanical systems and structural refurbishment program ever performed on a C-130H aircraft. Under this program, led by L-3 SPAR, the RNZAF will have one of the most modern C-130H aircraft fleets in the world and will be able to safely operate its five aircraft, with an average age of 38 years, beyond the predicted withdrawal date of 2017.
“This program marks an important milestone for L-3 SPAR,” said Patrice Pelletier, president of L-3 SPAR. “It allows us to effectively leverage the different upgrades and innovations we have developed over the years for our customers, particularly for Canada's Department of National Defence, and rolls them up into one life extension program. This milestone is not only significant for L-3 SPAR, but for the aerospace industries of Alberta and Canada as well.”
The project scope is significant, and includes:
–A comprehensive structural refurbishment program, consisting of structural inspections, modifications and replacements in more than 100 areas of the aircraft
–A complete center wing refurbishment, requiring removal of the wing
–Fatigue Improvement Modifications (FIM)
–Comprehensive mechanical systems modifications and replacements, including the installation of a short pod Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
–A complete Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP), including all communications, navigation and warning systems
–A complete re-wiring and electrical power distribution modification
In December 2004, following a 15-month tendering process, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence recognized L-3 SPAR's outstanding expertise by awarding L-3 SPAR the coveted comprehensive life extension program for their fleet of five C-130Hs.
The prototype aircraft being inducted in Edmonton will undergo a two-year modernization program, and is scheduled to complete flight testing in December 2007. The remaining four RNZAF C-130H aircraft will be refurbished in New Zealand with an in-country partner.
A division of New York City-based L-3 Communications, SPAR Aerospace is one of Canada's leading aerospace companies and is a Lockheed Martin approved C-130 Hercules aircraft service centre – the only one in North America outside of Lockheed Martin itself. L-3 SPAR's corporate headquarters are located in Edmonton, Alberta, with additional locations in Trenton, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario and Venice, Italy. With more than 800 employees across Canada, L-3 SPAR is a globally competitive market leader of MRO and Aircraft Life Extension Solutions for air mobility platforms.
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