Marshall passes maintenance milestone for USMC
USMC KC-130J takes off from the Marshall Aerospace and Defence facility in Cambridge, UK. (Photo: Marshall ADG)
First USMC KC-130J to be upgraded under 2020 contract returns to its squadron.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence has completed the first planned maintenance interval of a USMC KC-130J Super Hercules at its MRO facility in Cambridge, and the tanker aircraft has now returned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
The KC-130J underwent the work in the UK as part of a ten-year, multimillion-dollar contract from the DoD.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the USMC operates the largest number of KC-130Js in the world, with a total of 60 aircraft expected by the end of 2021 and more to follow in subsequent years,
Marshall won the Multiple Award Contract (MAC) in 2020 after an international competition that included extensive pre-solicitation audits and a demonstration of past performance.
Duncan Eldridge, MD of Marshall Military Aerospace, described the planned maintenance interval as ‘extensive’, adding that its successful delivery was ‘a very significant and exciting milestone for Marshall’.
The company supports a total of 17 C-130 operators worldwide.
After learning in March 2021 in the MoD Command Paper that the UK will take its C-130J fleet out of service in 2023 (12 years earlier than expected), Marshall Aerospace intends to take advantage of international transport aircraft market demand.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion]()
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion
The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
-
![UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract]()
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
-
![NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort]()
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort
The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
-
![UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO]()
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO
A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
-
![UK Royal Navy notes hybrid air wing progress with eyes on Peregrine drone development]()
UK Royal Navy notes hybrid air wing progress with eyes on Peregrine drone development
The Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) initiative aims to modernise aviation capabilities to use uncrewed systems where possible, supporting its goal of a hybrid air wing by 2040.
-
![Middle East UAV market underscored by $17bn in unsigned deals]()
Middle East UAV market underscored by $17bn in unsigned deals
While several UAV programmes remain unawarded in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is forecast to be the biggest spender with its potential MQ-9B and Gambit deals overshadowing others in the region.
