Lockheed Martin To Offer Converted C-130Js As Maritime Patrollers
RNAS YEOVILTON, U.K. — Lockheed
Martin is to offer a U.K-specific variant of its
SC-130J Sea Hercules to Britain, as the U.K. looks to
re-generate a maritime patrol capability.
The company says it could convert the U.K. Royal
Air Force’s existing fleet of C-130J airlifters into SC-
130Js, reducing procurement costs and technical risks,
company officials told Aviation Week on the eve of the
RNAS Yeovilton Air Day.
The company plans to formally announce its plans in
the coming weeks.
If selected, the British Sea Hercules’ would be fitted
with the same mission system fitted to the Royal Navy’s
AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin Mk. 2 helicopters,
which were upgraded by Lockheed Martin as part of
the U.K. defense ministry’s Merlin Capability Sustainment
Program. Currently the Sea Herc is being offered
to international customers with Lockheed’s Artamis
mission system, which was developed for use on the
P-3 Orion.
Lockheed says it could convert either the long-fuselage
C-130J-30s or the standard-length short-fuselage
C-130Js currently in service with the RAF, but officials
point out that the short-fuselage ones have a range
and endurance advantage. Procurement officials are
studying options to keep a handful of long-fuselage
aircraft in service to support special operations forces,
which could limit access to the short-fuselage aircraft.
The Sea Herc features a 360-deg. surface search radar
under the central fuselage, and lengthened landing
gear sponsons, which are extended forward of the main
landing gear and configured to carry air-dropped torpedoes.
Anti-ship missiles would be carried on pylons
under the outer wing. In the rear of cabin, the company
would fit a carousal system allowing for the delivery of
sonobuoys. Development of the extended sponson and
weapon bay is already “highly advanced,” the officials
stated, with work on the development carried out by
the company’s Aeronautics division. Options also exist
for the integration of a magnetic anomaly detector.
The aircraft also will be fitted with a satellite communications
system and an electronic support measures
capability.
“Much depends on what the requirements will be. If
there is a need for an advanced overland surveillance
capability, like that provided by Astor [Raytheon’s Sentinel
reconnaissance aircraft], we have some ideas how
to address that,” Lockheed Martin officials stated.
Conversion work from airlifter to maritime patroller
could also be performed in the U.K., with company officials
stating that Marshall Aerospace – which has supported
the U.K. Hercules fleet for decades – would be
ideally positioned for such work. Given the heavy use
inflicted on the Hercules fleet by operations in Afghanistan,
the C-130Js would likely need a life extension,
perhaps through a wingbox replacement program.
Several defense companies are now lining up to offer
a maritime patrol or multi-mission aircraft in expectation
of a U.K. requirement emerging from the upcoming
Strategic Defense and Security Review, which could
be published towards the end of this year. Widely seen
as a frontrunner is Boeing’s P-8 Poseidon; however,
L-3 Communications and partners Selex ES and Ultra
Electronics are offering a conversion of the Bombardier
Q400 regional airliner. Airbus Defense and Space will
offer a version of the C295 twin-turboprop transport.
Japan’s Kawasaki is offering its P-1 four-engined maritime
patroller, developed to replace the P-3 Orion in
Japanese service.