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
-
![December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production]()
December Drone Digest: Germany, Australia and US champion indigenous UAV production
One of the key trends seen in December has been the rise in indigenous investment within the UAV market, particularly across certain countries, with Germany, Australia and the US focusing on their commitments to sovereign development.
-
![Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans]()
Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans
With a rising defence budget and equipment list, Poland’s air market is set to grow as the country continues to modernise its transport and helicopter fleets while seeking out uncrewed aerial vehicles and loitering munitions.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
