Malaysian Aerospace Firm AIROD Receives its First Lockheed Martin C-130 Aircraft Centre Wing Box at its Facility in Subang, Malaysia

Malaysian aerospace firm Aircraft Inspection, Repair & Overhaul Depot Sdn Bhd (AIROD) has just received its first Lockheed Martin C-130 Centre Wing Box (CWB) on May 30, 2023.

The CWB is a critical structure section of the C-130 aircraft and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Lockheed Martin mandates that it must be replaced once it reaches 45,000 Equivalent Baseline Hours (EBH).

The majority of operators of the C-130 aircraft in ASEAN and around the globe are now planning to replace their CWB’s as they come due and this is creating a shortage of candidate donors with the right specifications and EBH remaining approved by the OEM, the company said.

Link Aviation FZE  has provided its OEM EBH approved CWB from their inventory to AIROD in advance for the remedial works required in preparation to market the CWB to various potential customers globally. 

Managing Director of Link Aviation FZE, Rehan Habib, said “It is only logical to place my CWB with AIROD as they are a global player for the C-130 and their track record of performing five previous CWB replacements gives me confidence that the item will move quickly”.

AIROD CEO Ismail bin Ibrahim said, “We are truly honoured to be entrusted with this CWB as it is confirmed by the OEM to have a remaining 33,000 EBH which puts it as the second highest in the world currently.  The potential customer which acquires this CWB will be able to fly their aircraft for another 15 to 20 years based on their usage of the aircraft”

Headquartered in Subang, Malaysia, AIROD provides aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services to support Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft.  AIROD has provided services to the US Air Force under a previous US government contract and is an authorised Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules service centre. 

Headquartered in Sharjah, UAE, Link Aviation FZE is an aviation services provider established with the objective of assisting customers with international freight movement, worldwide passenger transportation and aircraft parts teardown for various aircraft types including the L100 and C130 aircraft. — nadi/adj/mhi (Pix: NADI)