Lockheed Martin to provide flight computers for MC-130J special-ops aircraft
McCLELLAN, Calif., 10 Aug. 2015. U.S. military microelectronics experts are asking Lockheed Martin Corp. to upgrade special-operations flight computers aboard the U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II special-ops aircraft, as well as manufacture several of the upgraded airborne computers.
Officials of the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) in McClellan, Calif., announced plans to award a task order contract to the Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training segment in Owego, N.Y., as part of the Advanced Technology Support Program III (ATSP3) program.
The upcoming contract will ask Lockheed Martin to upgrade the MC-130J Special Mission Processor (SMP) and build a limited quantity of these upgraded SMPs. Upgrading the MC-130J SMP improves performance and resolves obsolescence and vanishing vendor issues, DMEA officials say.
The contract also involved MC-130J SMP low-rate initial production to integrate new SMPs on three separate MC-130J-related projects, and provide three spare shipsets. The two-year task order contract will be worth about $10.8 million when awarded.
Related: Lockheed Martin chooses Presagis VAPS XT-178 software for MC-130J program
The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) MC-130J Commando II is a multi-mission combat transport and special operations tanker aircraft for low-level clandestine aerial refueling for special operations helicopters and tiltrotors, as well as for infiltration, resupply, exfiltration by airdrop, or landing on remote airfields.
Lockheed Martin is the only company capable of providing the MC-130J SMP line-replaceable units (LRUs), which are unique or highly specialized, DMEA officials say.
The SMP is part of a Lockheed Martin family of processors that company engineers tailored specifically for the MC-130J under the C-130J Block Upgrade Improvement Contract. The company also is the original equipment manufacturer, current source of repair for the equipment, and holder of all data and processes necessary for the effort.
For more information contact Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training online at www.lockheedmartin.com/us/mst, or the Defense Microelectronics Activity at www.dmea.osd.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
