Singapore Technologies Aerospace wins RAFO C130 aircraft contract

18 January 2013 airforce-technology.com

Singapore Technologies Aerospace has been awarded a contract to maintain and upgrade the Royal Air Force of Oman's (RAFO) C130 Hercules transport aircraft fleet.

The contract covers major servicing of the three C-130 aircraft, repair and overhaul (R&O) of aircraft components, as well as Rolls-Royce / Allison T56/501 engines and their accessories.

Additional responsibility includes upgrade of the aircraft's cockpit through integration of the global air traffic management (GATM) compliant avionics suite featuring a six-display full glass cockpit, digital flight control system and flight management system.

Royal Air Force of Oman commander air vice marshal Matar Ali Al-obaidani said the selection is based on the company's expertise regarding the aircraft and also due to its designation as a one stop centre for the C130 Hercules.

"The contract covers major servicing of the three C-130 aircraft, repair and overhaul (R&O) of aircraft components."

"Its ability to undertake depot level maintenance and cockpit modernisation simultaneously is especially advantageous to us, as it minimises downtime and improves aircraft availability of our fleet," Al-obaidani added.

The upgrades are expected to improve the aircraft's navigation ability through communications, navigation, surveillance / air traffic management (CNS/ATM)-regulated airspace worldwide, in addition to enhancing its operational readiness, despatch reliability and operational efficiency.

During the third quarter of 2013, the first aircraft is anticipated to be inducted for modifications at the company's facility in Paya Lebar, Singapore, with redelivery targeted for the first quarter of 2014.

Built by Lockheed Martin, the C-130 aircraft is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed to conduct airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refuelling, maritime patrol and aerial firefighting missions.