The Royal Malaysian Air Force recently began operating its first "stretched" C-130H-30 that has been modified with an extension kit produced by the Air Mobility Support (AMS) team of Lockheed Martin Corporation .

"This program is typical of the worldwide involvement that Lockheed Martin has in the upgrade and sustainment of the C-130 fleet," said Jim Brandt, director and general manager Air Mobility Support (AMS). "We are actively working with many operators to supply everything from full avionics upgrades to fundamental aircraft mission enhancements such as this stretch program."

The stretch kit extends the length of the C-130H cargo area to 56 ft. by adding 180 inches to the fuselage of the military cargo aircraft by adding sections forward and aft of the wings. The extended C-130H, re-designated the C-130H-30, provides a 32 percent increase in the cargo volume capacity. This is the first of two stretch kits for Malaysia; the second kit is currently being installed.

The kit is one of numerous modification and sustainment solutions that Lockheed Martin offers to customers for upgrading existing C-130 B through H models. Other C-130 modification and upgrade programs under contract include air refueling tanker modifications, large-windowed observation doors, a wing repair kit and an environmentally friendly fuel manifold drain recovery kit. In addition to these, AMS offers a complete range of avionics upgrades. All of the current contracts are progressing on schedule and on or under budget. More than 60 types of upgrades and modernization kits have been developed and fielded by AMS.

AMS is a specialized, customer service-driven organization designed to increase effectiveness and responsiveness in post-delivery support of the C-130, P-3, S-3, C-5 and C-141 aircraft. By integrating the capabilities of support areas such as in-service engineering, technical publications, field service, supply support, field teams, modification, repair and overhaul (MRO), training, support equipment and mission systems product areas among several Lockheed Martin companies, the team is able to decrease costs and turn around time.

The Lockheed Martin companies included in AMS are Aircraft and Logistic Centers (Greenville, S.C.), Information Systems - Orlando (Fla.) and Systems Integration - Owego (N.Y.). The program office will be based at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company's Marietta, Ga., facility.

Lockheed Martin Corp., headquartered in Bethesda, Md. is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. Employing about 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales of $24 billion.

For information on Lockheed Martin Corp., visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

For information on Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., visit: http://www.lmaeronautics.com/

Make Your Opinion Count - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X53751824

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company