The reforms carried out on the maintenance of Defence’s fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules transport aircraft have delivered the equivalent of an extra aircraft being available for missions, Head of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s (DMO) Aerospace Systems Division, Air-Vice Marshal Colin Thorne announced today.
Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said the reforms have made considerable savings in the workforce and maintenance costs, both for Defence and industry.
“Defence has increased C-130J availability by eight per cent, which for a fleet of 12 aircraft is tantamount to having an extra C-130J,” Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said.
“The C-130J is the latest version of the venerable Hercules, and can operate from semi-prepared airstrips with 20 tonnes of cargo or 128 passengers.
“Since 1999, a fleet of 12 C-130J’s has been operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond.”
In 2010, the DMO Air Lift Systems Program Office (ALSPO) launched reforms within Defence and industry, with a goal of increasing the efficiency of C-130J maintenance practices.
“Support contracts for the C-130J and other Australian military aircraft are increasingly being structured to encourage and assist collaboration with Defence and industry partners to deliver improvements of this type,” Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said.
A Planned Servicing Schedule Review was launched by Australian Aerospace in late 2011, which examined the reliability data across the C-130J fleet and drew on the experience of international C-130J operators.
Australian Aerospace provides Through-Life Support for the C-130J Hercules, which includes deeper maintenance servicing of the aircraft.
After comprehensive review of its maintenance tasks and their sequencing, Australian Aerospace has been approved to increase servicing intervals from 30 to 38 weeks, which extends the full cycle of scheduled maintenance from 480 to 608 weeks.
“This reform is an example of the outstanding result that can be achieved by Defence and industry working together,” Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said.
(Aus DoD)
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