New Zealand, L-3 agree on C-130 upgrades

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- L-3 Communications and New Zealand have agreed on completion of the air force's C-130 Hercules aircraft Life Extension Program.

Defense Minister Wayne Mapp said the component upgrades would be completed in Woodbourne, in Blenheim, where local aeronautics company SafeAir has facilities.

"The total contract with L-3 Systems is for the five C-130 aircraft," Mapp said in a news release. "Two are close to completion and are expected to be returned to the Air Force for test and evaluation by the end of the year.

"It was originally intended that SafeAir could sub-contract for all five aircraft. However, they withdrew from doing the sub-contract work on the remaining three aircraft. That required a new contract involving L3 Systems, the Crown and SafeAir to complete the work on the remaining three aircraft."

The Life Extension program on the Lockheed Martin aircraft includes wing refurbishment and/or replacement of other structural components, a major rewire, replacement of avionics systems, flight management, autopilot and navigation and communication suites.

Mapp said the first of the three aircraft awaiting upgrades is now expected to enter the modification program early next year.