News Review: Australian Aerospace takes over C-130J support | ADM May 2010

1 May 2010

Australian Aerospace assumed responsibility for RAAF C-130J platform stewardship, engineering management, logistics management, and aircraft deeper maintenance from 11 March 2010.

The company and its prime subcontractor Lockheed Martin was awarded the $292 million Through Life Support (TLS) contract for provision of deeper level maintenance, engineering support and logistics management last year.

Group Captain Michael Brown, Officer Commanding the DMO's Air Lift SPO, said teaming with industry under this contract coupled with performance based contract extensions will incentivise industry to improve efficiency and increase availability of Hercules.

Working together, the DMO, Australian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and members of the RAAF have been able to achieve this significant transition on schedule, he said.

Under the TLS contract greater responsibility will be transferred from Defence to Industry for logistics management and engineering.

"Achievement of the C-130J TLS Operative Date is the culmination of both significant effort and collaboration by both Defence Industry and the DMO," Brown added.

The TLS contractor team consists of Australian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. Propulsion support is provided separately by Standard Aero.

Last November, Australian Aerospace inducted its first C-130J into its deeper level maintenance facility at RAAF Base Richmond.

The TLS contract covers an initial six-year period with further annual extensions available based on performance and efficiency potentially providing support until C-130J Planned Withdrawal Date of 2030.