The Argentine Air Force has taken delivery of an upgraded C-130 aircraft from the L-3 Communications' Platform Integration division.

The aircraft with upgraded avionics and systems has been delivered as part of the US Air Force's (USAF) foreign military sales (FMS) programme.

It is the first of five aircraft that are scheduled to be upgraded with special electro-optical equipment.

L-3 Aerospace Systems president Mark Von Schwarz said: “The cockpit avionics and aircraft systems upgrades delivered by our team will increase the mission availability of these C-130 aircraft for the Argentine Air Force and help ensure they continue to fly safely for many years to come.

“These L-3 improvements will allow worldwide operations by providing compliance to current and upcoming communication, navigation, surveillance / air traffic management (CNS / ATM) regulations.”

Work under the upgrade included the installation of new communication, navigation and air traffic management systems and avionics capabilities.

The aircraft’s critical environmental and power systems were also modernised to increase mission availability.

"These L-3 improvements will allow worldwide operations by providing compliance to current and upcoming communication, navigation, surveillance / air traffic management (CNS / ATM) regulations."

L-3 performed the modernisation of the first aircraft at its facility in Waco, Texas, US.

The remaining four aircraft will be upgraded at L-3's in-country partner Fábrica Argentina de Aviones' (FAdeA) modification facility in Córdoba, Argentina.

To date, L-3 Platform Integration has upgraded avionics for hundreds of C-130 aircraft in the USAF fleet and international allies.

It is supported by partners L-3 TCS, which provided technical publications and a kit for the installation of an L-3 WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical and infrared imaging and targeting system, and Rockwell Collins.

Image: A C-130 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Business Wire.