The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has begun routine deeper level maintenance for its C-130J Hercules aircraft to increase the fleet's availability to the air force.
The RAAF presently deploys 12 C130Js operated by No. 37 Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond, of which three are deployed to the Middle East area of operations, providing airlift support to Afghanistan operations.
Under the $292m contract, the Defence Materiel Organisation, RAAF, Australian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin will provide ongoing support to the C-130J aircraft fleet.
Australian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin will deliver services including aircraft maintenance, engineering and supply chain management.
StandardAero will continue to provide C-130J engine support under an existing contract arrangement.
The five-year initial contract awarded to Australian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin will be extended on the basis of contractor performance and cost reduction.
