A new Hercules for the 21st Century

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A multi-million dollar Herculean effort is underway to bring the avionics systems for more than 400 C-130's into the 21st century. 

Ship No. 2 of the C-130 Avionic Modernization Program made a brief layover here Nov. 26, and opened its doors for Team Dyess to view the changes made. Outside it looks like any other C-130, but inside the changes are immediately noticeable to anyone entering the cockpit. 

"The biggest change the aircrew will notice is the removal of the navigator position," said Mike Leone, chief test pilot of the C-130 AMP. "The other noticeable change is the 'all-glass' cockpit, which replaces the older avionics displays with a digital interface." 

The navigator slot has been replaced with an on-board computer system the pilot will be able to navigate, he said. 

"The computer system is the same flight management system of a Boeing 737, and it will allow the pilot to navigate anywhere in the world," Mr. Leone said. 

Many of the changes in the cockpit take a near-Herculean leap in technology from the planes that first started flying in the 1950s. Avionic changes include six liquid crystal displays, two heads up displays, a redundant mission processor, modern color radar, four global positioning systems, and a night vision compatible cockpit. 

One of the new aspects Mr. Leone believes the pilots will particularly enjoy are the two heads up displays. 

"The HUD will allow the pilot to have all their information directly in front of them, and it will minimize the amount of time the pilot has to spend looking at the instrument panels," said the 15-year test pilot veteran for the Air Force. 

Some of the other equipment the crew will appreciate are the traffic collision avoidance and terrain awareness warning programs, he said. 

The avionic changes are also appreciated by the loadmasters who work in the back of the plane. 

"I really like the idea of being modernized," said Staff Sgt. Ken Olson, 418th Flight Test Squadron loadmaster, Edwards AFB, Calif. "It's really like bringing '50s technology into the 21st century. It is a change the entire crew appreciates." 

While the changes can be exciting for everyone involved, aircrews at Dyess will have to wait a little bit longer before they can fly these C-130s. 

"The C-130 AMP is just finishing its first year of testing, and it will start its second year of testing in 2008," Mr. Leone said. "We hope we will be able to start the upgrades to the C-130s in 2009."