Marshall to make new cockpit armour for Danish Air Force C-130J fleet

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has been awarded a first contract to certify and install the latest version of lightweight cockpit armour on the Danish Air Force’s fleet of four C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. 

In a 12 November statement the UK based manufacturer said it had 'signed an exclusive agreement in July this year' to market, sell and install the QinetiQ manufactured, LAST Armor LWA - becoming the first company capable of certifying the armour on the C-130. 

'The new armour is less than half the weight of the existing product, which will help to save fuel, reduce the impact on the aircraft’s centre of gravity and allow the C-130-30 variant its full cargo carrying capacity, whilst still meeting the same ballistic requirement as QinetiQ’s previous LAST Armor,' the company stated. 

'This increased operational capability allows air forces around the world to operate in hostile environments with the confidence that their crews are protected against small arms fire.'

The armour can be quickly installed during maintenance periods, leading to 'optimum aircraft mission availability,' according to Marshall. 

The Danish Air Force contract follows on from Marshall partnering with the Bangladesh Air Force for the support of its five ex-RAF C-130J fleet.

The C-130J is the newest variant of the venerable C-130 type, designed primarily for tactical airlift operations. 

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C-130J Super Hercules