March 25, 2007 (by Lockheed Martin) -
Boeing launched the second Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) C-130 for the first time on March 25 at Lackland AFB, Taxes. This program is largest avionics upgrade ever performed on a C-130.
A Boeing employee guides the second Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) aircraft, C-130H 91-1239, in preparation for a recent flight test. The aircraft, H2.5, successfully completed its maiden flight from Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2007. Boeing is scheduled to deliver H2.5 to the USAF Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, California later this month.
A program came about as a result of a desire to give US Hercules fleet a much more common avionics package. The fruits of this desire came about in 2001 when Boeing was awarded this modernization program. As of now the testing stages are a bit more than half complete and is ahead of schedule. It is hoped to give pilots better situational awareness and ease the complexity of multiple C-130 derivates.
Boeing test pilot, Mike Leone, was joined by USAF pilot Major Adam Faulkner departed San Antonio for a 1.3 hour test flight. Modifications on the aircraft began in April 2005 on an aircraft taken from the Kentucky
ANG. The first aircraft to go through the AMP modification was delivered back to the USAF on the 28th of November 2006 where it continued testing with at Edwards
AFB, California.
