10 juillet 2019 | International, Aérospatial
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group today announced it has been awarded the contract to support the entry into service of the new replacement for the Blue Angels' iconic Fat Albert, the C-130 support aircraft to the US Navy's air display team.
Marshall will carry out the maintenance, paint and minor modifications to the US Navy's replacement ‘Fat Albert'. The aircraft is a C-130J that the US Navy recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defence to replace the C-130T that the squadron used for 17 years until May this year.
The new Fat Albert is a C-130J Super Hercules, four-engine, six-blade turboprop, which will serve as the US Navy's Blue Angels' Flight Demonstration Squadron (NFDS) logistical support aircraft.
Marshall is the global leading C-130 support company outside of the USA and was chosen for its proven expertise with C-130 modification, repair and overhaul (MRO) work and the speed with which the company can make the aircraft operational.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO, Alistair McPhee said:
“We are delighted that the US Navy has chosen us to work on the new replacement Fat Albert,”
“We have worked on Royal Air Force C-130s for 50 years and we support a number of international Air Force customers who have purchased surplus C-130s from the UK MOD. It feels like a natural progression for us, but very exciting nevertheless. Fat Albert is a head-turner and plays a major part in supporting the Blue Angels' display team.”
Lt. Col. Robert Hurst, PMA-207 C/KC-130 Deputy Program Manager, said:
“Our partners at the UK MOD and Marshall have been instrumental in executing this extremely challenging acquisition. We have always had a great partnership with the UK and this only adds to the list of ways we accomplish great things together.”
Fat Albert takes part in the display team's flying performances, as well as being a crucial support aircraft, carrying the Blue Angels' tools, spare parts and engineers.
Marshall will perform depth maintenance on the aircraft, which will include an upgrade to some of its systems to align them to the retired Fat Albert. It will then be repainted in the Blue Angels' iconic blue, yellow and white colours.
Fat Albert is expected to be operational in the first part of next year.
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By: Agnes Helou ABU DHABI — BAE Systems signed a memorandum of agreement with the United Arab Emirates repair and overhaul center to transfer technology of some F-16 initiatives to the UAE. The memorandum between BAE and the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center, or AMMROC, was signed on the second day of IDEX 2019. BAE Systems will open a facility at Al Ain, along the eastern border, “formalizing the relationship” with AMMROC, which also supports Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky with Black Hawk and C-130 maintenance, and repair and overhaul of ever fixed wing aircraft that the UAE Air Force counts among its fleet. “Our agreement with AMMROC allows us to work with an established leader in MRO and benefit from the skill and experience of their local workforce in the UAE,” said Paul Markwardt, vice president of survivability, targeting and sensing solutions at BAE Systems' Electronic Systems business. Under the MOU, the two organizations will work closely together on multiple projects, ranging from testing and repair services to manufacturing, support, and product installation. Potential projects include BAE Systems' avionics, communication, display, sensor, and survivability products. Among other things, “the MOU provides the testing of the equipment BAE Systems has on the F-16 platform," with BAE transfering technology for the testing of some products and building of some others, another BAE Systems official added. Other potential products BAE Systems could bring to the UAE, are the eye goggle tester, EMI/EMC lightening test equipment, F-16 ground support equipment, and IFF (identification friend or foe) license production. AMMROC CEO Abdul Hakeem Ahmed Saif Al Muflahi noted that the MOU doesn't include buying systems but transferring technology. “This MOU enhances AMMROC's position in delivering a fully integrated, world class MRO solution in accordance with industry best practices," he said. "The potential projects represent an exciting opportunity for both companies to work together in the field of MRO. AMMROC is proud to partner with BAE Systems, one of the world's leading defense companies, and we look forward to working with their team to develop and execute on the MOU.” https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/idex/2019/02/18/bae-systems-signs-agreement-with-emirati-repair-and-overhaul-center-for-f-16-tech-transfer/