Military orders C-130 propeller kits

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., March 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy Reserve and U.S. Air Force National Guard selected Hamilton Sundstrand Electronic Corp. for propeller control system kits.

The kits, 25 in all, will be used for C-130T and LC-130H aircraft.

The combined value is estimated at about $24.6 million. The contract includes provisions for engineering, technical and logistics services over three years.

"Hamilton Sundstrand is pleased that NAVAIR and the (Air Force) have started the permanent modification phase of the EPCS program," said Robert Schechtman, business development manager of Hamilton Sundstrand's propulsion business. "In addition, the EPCS kits are part of our propeller modernization program, which can be applied to NP2000 propellers in the future.

"The NP2000 propeller system brings many additional benefits to C-130 users, including shorter takeoff roll, improved climb, quieter operations and lower operating and support costs."

The EPCS kits replace 54H60 propeller mechanical controls with a system based on digital computer software, offering improved reliability, performance and precision.

The kits have been flying for the Air National Guard in an operational evaluation for four years.

The control systems are expected to achieve commercial certification this year.