Lockheed Awards Super Hercules Communication Upgrade Contract To Thrane & Thrane

Thrane & Thrane, a newly acquired Cobham company, has been chosen by Lockheed Martin for a satellite communication component of an upgrade of the USAF’s fleet of 200 C-130J Super Hercules in a contract worth $24.8 million. The satellite communication systems will support the air traffic management data link component of the Block 8.1 upgrade. Under the terms of the contract, Thrane & Thrane will deliver the DO178B certified AVIATOR 700D product, which is prepared for FANS1/A operation and supports a combination of current Inmarsat cockpit safety provisions as well as SwiftBroadband IP data and voice capability. “AVIATOR 700D will support the enhanced communications functionality of this extensive upgrade program for the C-130J,” comments Walther Thygesen, CEO, Thrane & Thrane. “The system functionality, reliability and certification fit the requirements and Thrane & Thrane is well positioned to be a reliable partner throughout the deployment of the upgrade program and the on-going use of AVIATOR 700D”. The C-130J Hercules is a heavy-lift tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft powered by four Allison AE2100D3 turboprop engines and can accommodate a payload of up to 20t or more than 90 passengers. The block upgrade program ensures interoperability across the worldwide C-130J fleet. The Block 8.1 upgrade will be implemented on the fleets of a large number of C-130J operators in the UK, Australia, Italy, Denmark, Canada, Norway and the USA.