C-130 fuel saving test flights to begin
Rolls-Royce has announced that it will soon commence flight tests of an engine upgrade for the T56 turboprop engine for the C-130H transport aircraft, with the US Air Force (USAF). The series 3.5 upgrade is designed to deliver fuel savings and reliability improvements, as well as improved Life Cycle Costs.
Rolls-Royce has delivered upgrade kits to be installed on a USAF C-130H test aircraft, with flight tests scheduled to begin by mid-year. The enhancements use proven technologies from other Rolls-Royce commercial and military engines, including new blade materials and advanced turbine airfoil aerodynamic designs.
According to the company, the engine upgrade programme is expected to deliver significant benefits to the air force’s C-130H fleet, enabling the aircraft to continue operation until 2040 while delivering fuel savings of 8 percent; along with improved reliability and performance. The Series 3.5 enhancement will also improve ‘hot and high’ performance. Approximately 220 C-130H aircraft are eligible for upgrades.
An air force analysis estimated long-term savings of $3.5 Billion from the Series 3.5 enhancements over the lifetime of the fleet. The engine upgrade can be accomplished as part of a conventional engine overhaul, and does not require any aircraft or engine control system modifications. The engine upgrades will help the USAF to achieve its goal of reducing consumption of aviation fuel by 10 percent by 2015.
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