Upgraded C-130 Maintenance for Upgraded Missions
At AllClear, we strive to develop superior solutions to modernize aircraft, improve reliability, and lower maintenance costs. Our Digital Fuel Quantity Measurement Solution (DFQMS™), SHORT-POD® APU, and E2H ECS® Flight Station Upgrade for the Lockheed Martin C-130 have already been put to use in numerous aircraft. As a recognized provider of mission-ready upgrade solutions, we provide your fleet with a full suite of solutions.
Digital Fuel Quantity Measurement Solution (DFQMS™)
The existing fuel quantity indication systems (FQIS) for C-130 aircraft require extensive maintenance, resulting in longer aircraft downtime and the need to relocate the aircraft for in-tank work to resolve fuel system indication faults. The maintainer’s inability to find faults isolated down to a single component increases both maintenance man-hours and, in the case of fuel probes, often requires the removal of all probes in a tank to expedite repairs. This leads to unnecessary increases in material costs and reduces overall system reliability due to the age of the aircraft’s fuel system indication wiring harnesses. These issues with outdated systems and low confidence in fuel indication readings affect mission readiness and effectiveness.
To solve this issue, we developed the Digital Fuel Quantity Measurement Solution (DFQMS™). The DFQMS™ is a modern and active capacitance system that replaces legacy fuel quantity measurement systems and aircraft wiring harnesses to improve system reliability, lower material cost, lower maintenance hours, and increase mission readiness for the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. This upgrade utilizes the proven design of AMETEK Aerospace & Defense components and builds upon past FQIS modernization success on US Air Force aircraft with extensive qualification testing of system components and demonstrated system performance and reliability.
Long-term sustainment accounts for an 82% decrease in component failures, a 73% reduction in man hours, and a 72% reduction in material cost (decreases/reductions over a 5-year period varies, based on flight hours flown).
AllClear has partnered with Lynden Air Cargo, as the launch customer, for the first installation and entry into service of the DFQMS™, which was completed in June 2021 and has logged over 3,000 flights hours of operations with no issues. “The key advantage of this system is greater reliability and preventing the need to ferry the aircraft for in tank repairs”, stated Ethan Bradford, Vice President of Technical Operations for Lynden Air Cargo. The STC was also approved by the FAA for the 382G aircraft type for this modernization solution to support legacy C-130 and L-100 aircraft. A second and third aircraft installation has been completed, with the fourth one being scheduled.
Benefits of the upgrade include:
- Improved troubleshooting/fault isolation
- Robust signal “active capacitance”
- Long term accuracy
- Improved system reliability
- Increased mission availability
- Lower life cycle cost
- Long term supportability
SHORT-POD® APU
AllClear is also the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the SHORT-POD® APU Upgrade Kit. The kit modernizes pre-1974 production C-130B through early C-130H aircraft by replacing the original gas turbine compressor, air turbine motor, and ATM generator with the SHORT-POD® APU, providing C-130 operators with increased reliability and reduced maintenance costs. The SHORT-POD® APU is approved, licensed, and a hologram product by Lockheed Martin Global Sustainment Services.
Upgrade Benefits include:
- Improved reliability
- Greater MTBUR
- No major aircraft modification required
- ECS operation on the ground without main engines or GCS support
- Lower cost of ownership
- 25 days installation time
- Greater mission autonomy due to secure engine starts
E2H ECS® Flight Station Upgrade
AllClear’s E2H ECS® Flight Station Upgrade replaces legacy pre-1974 ECS systems which degrade mission capability. The upgrade applies to C-130B/E/H and variants C-130K and C-130R, addressing obsolescence, high failure rate, and low system output. The E2H ECS® proven design utilizes current production components and meets current flight station avionics cooling requirements. It has improved reliability, connects the flight station and cargo departments, and has increased output by 230% (to 70PPM) from the legacy output. When coupled with cargo compartment upgrades to the turbine and heat exchanger, the system also improves AC pressurization for crew and passenger comfort.
All LRUs provided are the same as equipment installed on C-130H2 aircraft and currently supported by the United States Department of Defense Logistics System. The E2H ECS® solution is Lockheed Martin Hologram Certified utilizing AllClear’s proprietary design and intellectual property.
Spares and Repairs Support
We have more than 30 years’ experience managing global distribution programs. In collaboration with established alliances and strategic partnerships with the industry’s leading manufacturers and repair centers, AllClear provides a suite of solutions for operators, depots, and aircraft MRO centers worldwide.
Our repair services business segment specializes in the complete repair and overhaul of pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, fuel systems, landing gear, electro-mechanical components, brakes and more, for defense and commercial platforms. Capabilities also extend to tooling development, and accessory engineering design and fabrication. Our world-class 26,521sq. ft. facility includes state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained technical experts. We also have a customer advocate team that is available to push for solutions to small and large challenges that our customers may face.