Collins Aerospace has completed the first (of 14) cockpit modernisation for a French Air Force C-130H HERCULES, the company announced on 23 July.

The aircraft is equipped with the company’s Flight2 avionics solution and the dual HGS-4500 Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) with EVS-3000 multispectral enhanced vision system to improve pilot situational awareness. An electro-optical infrared camera for asset detection is also integrated into the HGS. Together, these solutions further enhance C-130H operational capabilities to support specific mission requirements.

“Modernising to the Flight2 system provides the French Air Force with the latest generation of avionics, […] optimised support and maintenance solutions to complete demanding missions all over the world,” explained Managing Director, Avionics for Collins Aerospace in France, Olivier Pedron.

Following first flight and qualification of the first two aircraft by France’s military procurement authority, the DGA, Collins will deliver modification kits to the Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique (SIAé) to complete installation on the remaining 12 aircraft. Under the September 2016 DGA award, Collins Aerospace acts as prime contractor, in accordance with its FRA-21J capability, together with partners Lockheed Martin and Sabena Technics.

With Flight2, the C-130H will comply with the most recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, providing it with a tactical advantage in both military and civil operations. In addition, Flight2 provides commonality for optimised support and maintenance across other French Air Force platforms – such as E-3 AWACS and KC-135 – and HUD commonality with the C-130J.

Collins has delivered over 2,900 Flight2 solutions for military fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. An additional 371 C-130s have been upgraded, or are on contract to be upgraded, with the Flight2 solution. More legacy C-130 aircraft have been fitted with Collins’ avionics than those of any other single provider in the world.