USAF continues Hercules propeller upgrade
C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. (Photo: Collins Aerospace)
Collins Aerospace obtains another order to provide NP2000 propellers for C-130H aircraft.
The USAF has chosen Collins Aerospace to deliver NP2000 propeller systems for 26 additional Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules aircraft operated by the US Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
The USAF plans to retrofit approximately 140 C-130H with NP2000 and has now ordered propeller upgrades for 83 C-130H aircraft, Collins noted in a 21 September announcement.
The value of the latest order and its completion date were undisclosed.
Collins has installed the NP2000 on 16 USAF C-130Hs to date, including aircraft for the Georgia, Nevada and Wyoming Air National Guard.
NP2000 features eight composite blades and a digital Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS). It delivers a 20% thrust increase during take-off, a 50% reduction in maintenance time and a 20db sound reduction in the cockpit compared to legacy propeller systems, Collins claimed.
The NP2000 is also in service on Northrop Grumman E-2 and C-2 aircraft and it has accumulated more than 1 million flight hours since entering service in 2004.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin takes financial hit amid ongoing F35 troubles]()
Lockheed Martin takes financial hit amid ongoing F35 troubles
The company remains in negotiations with the US Government over the Lot 18 and 19 F-35 production contract, following the fourth quarter 2023 US$7.8 billion contract modification.
-
![Poland set for $7.3 billion F-16 upgrade]()
Poland set for $7.3 billion F-16 upgrade
Poland’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request is for a range of radar, electronic warfare (EW) and missile and bomb test systems to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16s.
-
![Why is there an “insatiable demand” worldwide for AMRAAM?]()
Why is there an “insatiable demand” worldwide for AMRAAM?
Recent contracts and requests to purchase this capability have been reaching multi-billion levels.
-
![Insight: How India’s Tri-Service MQ-9B $4 billion deal was awarded]()
Insight: How India’s Tri-Service MQ-9B $4 billion deal was awarded
After lengthy negotiations, the Indian Ministry of Defence has now signed a US$4 billion contract with the US Government to procure 31 MQ-9B drones from General Atomics, marking India as the largest customer of this UAV model.
-
![WaveAerospace aims to launch production of new UAS platforms in 2025]()
WaveAerospace aims to launch production of new UAS platforms in 2025
WaveAerospace has been showcasing its MULE heavy-lift VTOL UAS, designed for contested logistics missions with a payload capacity of more than 40kg and up to four hours of endurance, while also introducing Huntress, a fast multirotor UAS. Both will be expected to enter production by 2025.
-
![Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 million deal for Black Hornet 4 UAS]()
Teledyne FLIR Defense Wins $91 million deal for Black Hornet 4 UAS
The Black Hornet 4 was unveiled 12 months ago and has an improved thermal sensor and an EO camera over the previous platform, and a forward-facing ultrasound sensor and navigation cameras on the top and sides.
