Argentina Takes Delivery of First Upgraded C-130 Aircraft

L-3 Communications’ Platform Integration division has delivered an upgraded C-130 aircraft to Argentina as part of a US Air Force Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

The delivery was the first of five aircraft scheduled to receive avionics and systems modernization.

Under the program, L-3 installed new communication, navigation and air traffic management systems avionics capabilities, as well as a reliability upgrade on critical environmental and power systems to increase mission availability. Several aircraft are slated to be fitted with special electro-optical equipment to expand the mission role of the Argentine Air Force.

“The cockpit avionics and aircraft systems upgrades delivered by our team will increase the mission availability of these C-130 aircraft for the Argentine Air Force and help ensure they continue to fly safely for many years to come,” said Mark Von Schwarz, president of L-3 Aerospace Systems, which includes the Platform Integration division. “These L-3 improvements will allow worldwide operations by providing compliance to current and upcoming Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) regulations.”

The first aircraft installation and integration was performed by L-3 at its facility in Waco, Texas, and the remaining four aircraft will be upgraded at its in-country partner FAdeA’s (Fábrica Argentina de Aviones) modification facility in Córdoba, Argentina, with L-3 support.