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The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center recently contracted Raytheon Technologies’ Collins Aerospace business to continue producing new, advanced propellers for C-130 aircraft.
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The US$135 million contract will allow Collins to manufacture and support new NP2000 propeller systems, including the electronic control system and spares. The NP2000 is an eight composite bladed propeller system designed to enhance the performance profile of the C-130J series of Super Hercules airlift aircraft.
NP2000 will be responsible for upgrading the C-130’s legacy mechanical control system that’s been flying for decades, the NP2000 offers eight composite blades and digital EPCS — providing operators reduced vibration and interior noise while improving speed holding and blade synchronisation.
Quinlan Lyte, senior director for propeller systems at Collins Aerospace, said, “Reliability and maintainability are important to our customers. We are retrofitting the Air Force’s fleet to improve performance, increase flight safety, and lower operating cost.”
With more than 1 million flight hours, the NP2000 is military qualified, with the NP2000 propeller system designed to modernise the C-130 Hercules in service with the US Air Force and 22 nations around the world and E-2 Hawkeye in service with the US Navy, French Navy, and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.
The composite blades can be removed individually without the need to remove the entire system, decreasing maintenance time and extending the lifecycle of aircraft fleets.
Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industry. Raytheon Technologies is the world’s largest aerospace and defence company.
