The US Air Force has awarded BAE Systems a contract to provide crashworthy seats for C-130 aircraft, which will help protect crewmembers in the event of mishaps or hard landings.

BAE will develop, test and install as many as 88 specially designed seat systems to enhance the survivability of crew during normal, emergency and combat operations.

BAE Systems Support Solutions aerospace solutions vice-president and general manager Gordon Eldridge said the contract would provide a cost-effective and rapidly deployable solution for the warfighter.

The $8.4m contract was awarded by Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, US.

The work will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities in the US.