Collins Aerospace Gets New Orders for C-130 NP2000 Propeller System
Collins Aerospace Systems has been selected to deliver NP2000 propeller systems for an additional 30 Lockheed Martin C-130H aircraft for the US Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve (AFR). Collins Aerospace is a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp.
With its eight composite blades and digital Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS), NP2000 offers a number of benefits compared to legacy systems including: a 20 percent thrust increase during take-off, a 20db sound reduction in the cockpit and a 50 percent reduction in maintenance man-hours. Along with C-130 variants, NP2000 has been in service with US and international customers on the Northrop Grumman E-2 and C-2 since 2004, and is planned for use on the Lockheed Martin P-3.
With the receipt of this new order, bringing the total order to 55 C-130H aircraft to date, Collins Aerospace continues to make progress toward USAF’s plan to retrofit approximately 160 C-130H aircraft with NP2000, the company said Sept 14.. In addition to the new order, Collins Aerospace earned the system’s C-130H Air Worthiness Certification from USAF and completed the first formal combined NP2000/EPCS installation on a USAF C-130H in April.
“Collins Aerospace is honored to support the US Air Force,” said Jean-Francois Chanut, general manager, Propeller Systems, Collins Aerospace. “Our innovative NP2000 system incorporates more intelligent, state-of-the-art technologies designed to enhance efficiency and boost aircraft availability, while increasing crew comfort and safety. We look forward to continuing to work with the Air Force to help them maximize the performance and availability of their C-130 fleet.” –shp/mgm