The extension will allow Marshall’s Aero Engineering Services team to continue supporting the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force’s fleet of four C-130H aircraft until their planned retirement from service. The company said the work is intended to maximise aircraft availability and operational capability.
Under the support arrangement, Marshall provides direct technical access to engineers based in Cambridge. The engineers advise frontline operators and Dutch airworthiness personnel on repairs, modifications, spare parts, service bulletins and technical documentation.
“We are delighted to continue this very successful technical support arrangement with RNLASF, which has seen our two teams working incredibly closely in support of 336 Squadron’s C-130H fleet,” said Mark Hewer, director of Aero Engineering Services at Marshall Aerospace.
“As the aircraft enter a new phase of their operational lifecycles, our expertise on legacy C-130 aircraft will translate directly to availability as we respond to unique challenges related to retirement from service,” he added.
Marshall said its relationship with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force has now continued for 30 years. Over that period, the company has provided maintenance, engineering, supply chain and modification support for the Dutch C-130H fleet.
In 2012, Marshall completed major upgrades to all four aircraft under the Cockpit Upgrade Programme and Cabin Safety Improvement Programme. The work included the removal of obsolete systems and the integration of commercial off-the-shelf equipment alongside systems specifically designed for Dutch operational requirements.
The company also highlighted earlier work involving two aircraft previously operated by the U.S. Navy as EC-130Q maritime electronic warfare variants. Those aircraft had been placed in long-term storage in Tucson, Arizona, before being dismantled and transported to Cambridge.
Marshall Aerospace led the recovery and conversion of the aircraft to the C-130H standard. The company described the programme as one of the most extensive and complex engineering projects it has undertaken.
