C-130 Hercules News

October 14, 2015 (by Asif Shamim) - Spirit Aeronautics, has developed an avionics upgrade program that modernizes Lockheed C-130H/L-382 Hercules aircraft to allow worldwide flight operations in both military and civil airspace.
Utilizing commercially available equipment that not only provides state-of-the-art landing technology but also adds NextGen capabilities such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS–B) that can be integrated with Flight Management Systems (FMS) for increased safety and reduced aircrew workload.

“Cost-effective platform based solutions for military and government operations are just one of our specialties,” said Tony Bailey, President & COO. “We established a team of experts and centered their efforts towards creating a modernization path for operators that utilize commercially available and proven systems with FAA approved equipment that is capable of integrating with the legacy avionics system of the C-130H/L-382 Hercules aircraft. It is a tremendous cost saving alternative for aging aircraft that allows for longer aircraft life while meeting demands of an ever changing operational requirement.”

“Enhancing the legacy C-130H/L-382 Hercules Avionics architecture with our simple yet elegant solution will provide operators with the ability to operate during times when local Instrument Landing System facilities are not reliable or in locations that they may not exist. This allows for them to fly safely in inclement weather conditions or in to remote areas where and when they are needed the most,” said Rick Ochs, Chairman & CEO.

“This solution provides aircrews with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) GPS based Lateral Navigation & Localizer Performance (LNAV) with Vertical Guidance (LPV) landing approach capability utilizing Commercial Off the Shelf equipment. In addition, this project provides for a direct path to acquire NextGen capability by meeting the WAAS GPS system requirements for ADS-B approvals. We are very proud to offer our C-130H/L-382 Hercules solution to enhance the safety of aircrews without the undue costs in time and money normally required to gain a much needed operational capability that is long overdue."