Marshall has a long history of working on C-130 aircraft, having completed nearly 80 centre wing box replacements since 2004. The company stands out as the only organisation worldwide to have performed these complex procedures on both legacy C-130 platforms and the current production C-130J Super Hercules. Notably, Marshall is the only entity outside the United States to have successfully replaced a C-130J centre wing box.
Bob Baxter, Marshall’s chief growth officer, expressed pride in the recognition: “We are incredibly proud to have added yet another world-first to our C-130 engineering credentials. This recognition from Lockheed Martin reinforces our position as an industry leader in non-standard repair and replacement, and demonstrates the strength of our capability enhancement offering.”
The purpose of centre wing box replacements is to extend an aircraft’s operational life. The centre wing is a crucial structural component of the aircraft, known as a “lifed article.” Original centre wings typically have a lifespan of approximately 19,000 flight hours. Installing a new, enhanced service life centre wing re-lifes the aircraft, preserving airworthiness and extending its operational capacity for decades.
Lockheed Martin provides Marshall with service bulletins, custom tooling, and complete kits containing the necessary parts and components for the replacements. During the process, the original centre wing is removed, and interfacing structures and main frames undergo detailed inspection and servicing. The replacement also involves the installation of a new centre wing and the renewal of internal wiring and plumbing.
Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions Line of Business at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, commented on the designation: “Recognizing Marshall as the first Lockheed Martin-approved Centre of Excellence for its work leading the C-130 centre wing box replacement program is a natural choice. Marshall is a vital part of the C-130 Hercules community because it embodies a commitment to excellence in C-130 maintenance and support, ensuring these versatile aircraft continue to serve operators reliably and efficiently in meeting global mission demands.”
Marshall is currently undertaking centre wing replacements on 12 C-130J aircraft, with eight completed and four more underway. Due to the unique modifications these aircraft have received, Marshall has developed specialised adaptations to ensure seamless integration for each replacement.
Marshall has supported the global C-130 fleet since 1966 and holds the distinction of being the first authorised C-130 service centre in the world, as well as the first C-130J Super Hercules service centre. The C-130 Hercules, used by nearly 70 countries and with over 2,700 aircraft worldwide, has surpassed 25 million flight hours, demonstrating its unrivalled performance in tactical airlift and refuelling missions.
