BAE to design US Air Force C-130 aircraft computers

The US Air Force has contracted BAE Systems to design and test mission computers for its 37 C-130 Hercules turboprop transport aircraft.

Under the $23m contract, BAE is tasked to develop, qualify and test the new computers, integrate existing software, and manufacture the kits for use in final installation.

BAE’s scope of the services also includes conducting ground and flight testing for the computers.

The new mission computers are slated to replace the current versions on about 20 MC-130H variants and 17 AC-130U variants used by Special Operations Forces.

The work, under the contract awarded by the Air Force Materiel Command at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, US, will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities in Warner Robins and San Antonio, Texas, and at various US locations.