Air Force continues project to upgrade propeller control systems in C-130 turboprop aircraft
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga., 30 July 2015. U.S. Air Force Reserve C-130 utility turboprop aircraft are receiving computer-aided propeller control to enhance aircraft safety and performance.
Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., announced a $28.6 million contract Tuesday to Aircraft Engineering and Installation Services Inc. in Orlando, Fla., to provide the C-130 electronic propeller control system (EPCS).
The EPCS avionics improves safety by accelerating response time when pilots advanced throttles rapidly, which has been an issue in previous mishaps.
Aircraft Engineering and Installation Services will build, integrate, and install the C-130 EPCS on 48 Air Force Reserve Command C-130H aircraft, and modify 25 spare quick engine change (QEC) kits.
EPCS kits replace 54H60 propeller mechanical controls with a system based on digital computer software to improve aircraft reliability and offer more precise performance.
The EPCS involves a modern electronic valve housing and electric propeller controls to improve propeller system reliability by 50 percent while improving reliability, maintainability, and performance.
On this contract Aircraft Engineering and Installation Services will do the work in Orlando, Fla., and should be finished by May 2016. For more information contact Aircraft Engineering and Installation Services online at www.aeisinc.com, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base at www.robins.af.mil/units/aflcmc.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
