Lockheed flight tests C-130 airframe mods

19th April 2016 - 12:00 GMT | by Grant Turnbull in London

RSS

Lockheed Martin has begun flight testing several aerodynamic modifications – including winglets – for the C-130 Hercules in a bid to increase the efficiency of the aircraft and potentially save millions of dollars in annual fuel bills.

The modifications include 5ft winglets and 3D-printed ‘microvanes’, which are small fibre-glass strips fitted to the aft section of the fuselage. Both modifications have now entered flight testing with C-130 aircraft from US Air Force (USAF) and US Coast Guard (USCG).

Funding for flight testing C-130 winglets and microvane technology has come from both internal R&D investment as well as from the Air …

Want to read more?

To read this article, along with thousands of others like it, start your Premium News free trial.

Start Trial or log in here

More from Military Logistics

Danes pick Lockheed Martin for Super Hercules support

A different provider than the C-130J OEM would be unable to meet Danish requirements, DALO concludes.
Indra works on deployable ATM for German military

Indra is providing a rapid-deployment air traffic management automation system and 2D primary air surveillance radar for the German Armed Forces.
USAF approves fourth ICR for Pegasus

The KC-46A Pegasus is now capable of supporting almost 70% of USAF aircraft, says Air Mobility Command.
JASDF takes small digitisation step with smart base experiment

Japan's military is lagging in terms of its digitisation, but a smart base experiment could begin to turn the tide.
US paves the way for $445 million sale of trucks to Kuwait

Kuwait will use the Oshkosh Defense heavy vehicles to transport heavy equipment, including legacy and new main battle tanks.
First delivery of new military bridges to British Army

The new bridging systems will provide new, lightweight, medium gap-crossing capability to very high readiness forces.