Boeing’s 1st C-130 AMP Aircraft Completes 100th Flight
The Boeing Company said today that the first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) aircraft, H2, has completed its 100th flight. The aircraft, which is undergoing flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., has flown several cross-country sorties and is ahead of development schedule. The milestone also marks the halfway point in the aircraft’s flight-test program.
Two C-130 AMP aircraft are currently located at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, and both continue to exceed ground- and flight-testing expectations. A third aircraft, H3, is undergoing modifications and upgrades at Boeing Support Systems’ San Antonio facility. The aircraft will receive a fully integrated, night-vision-goggle compatible, digital glass cockpit and a new digital avionics system.
The aircraft is one of more than 200 C-130 aircraft that Boeing Support Systems will modify under the AMP initiative, which provides enhanced digital avionics, increasing situational awareness for the warfighter. The AMP upgrade also brings commonality to the C-130 fleet and offers flexibility in assigning aircrew, regardless of the model design type. The Air Force awarded Boeing the AMP contract in 2001. Boeing plans to begin Low Rate Initial Production next year.
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