The First C-130E Modernized within Erciyes Program was Delivered to Turkish Air Force
Following the completion of acceptance tests, the first C-130E and 1 ground mission planning station, the modernization of which were realized by TAI – main contractor - within the scope of C-130E/B Avionic Modernization – Erciyes Program, were delivered to Turkish Air Force Command. Turkish Air Force Commander General Akın Öztürk, Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir and many military and defence officials attended the ceremony held at TAI premises.
Pointing out the significance of Erciyes Program at his speech made at the delivery ceremony held at TAI premises, Air Forces Commander General Akın Öztürk said, “Our old and faithful C-130 aircrafts, which are the backbone of our transportation strength, were modernized with national capabilities and rejoined our Air Forces in order to serve our nation.” General Öztürk also stated that the aircrafts planned to take place in the inventory until 2040 are aimed to become more efficient, economic and safe with the modernization of 19 C-130 aircrafts.
Undersecretary for Defence Industries Prof. İsmail Demir stated that the aircrafts will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and hold multipurpose mission computers having high mobility. Prof. Demir mentioned that all modernization activities will be completed in 2016 and 19 aircrafts are planned to take place in the inventory.
TAI Chairman of the Board Mr. Yalçın Kaya stated that all modernization activities within the scope of Erciyes Program are being performed by Turkish engineers and technicians in Turkey in such a way that ensure flight conditions appropriate to international aerospace rules as well as military and civil aviation standards. “The local companies such as Aselsan, STM, Selex, MEGE Teknik, BITES, MilSOFT are aware of their responsibilities and have been trying to perform their tasks in harmony and coordination with TAI and as of the point arrived, they have proven that they deserve the confidence counted on them”, continued Mr. Kaya. “I also want to emphasize the significance of uninterrupted flight support as well as knowhow and experience share by Air Forces Command in the successful accomplishment of the Project” added Mr. Kaya.
Once completed, C-130E and C130B aircrafts taking place in the inventory of Air Force Command will comply with GATM, RVSM and CAT-II ILS requirements. The new avionic system will be fully NVIS capable, have a glass cockpit with four MFDs, two CDUs and two Multi Mission Computers. Link-16 Tactical Data Link Integration, which allows interoperability capability with other platforms in the inventory, will also be made on the aircrafts to be modernized within the project scope.
The very first “Supplemental Type Design Approval Certificate” from the first Local Certification Authority
Within the scope of the Project, also the flightworthy of the aircrafts under the modernization scope has been certified by issuing Supplemental Type Design Approval Certificate by the first Certification Authority composed of representatives from Undersecretariat for Defence Industries and Armed Forces. In addition to design and development activities, conducting certification activities in aviation field under the supervision of a national authority for the first time is one of the milestone that our country has achieved by this project.
The Avionic Modernization of the first mass production aircraft, which was initiated in March 2014, will be realized at TAI premises and 2nd Air Supply and Maintenance Centre of Air Force Command at Kayseri. The modernization activities of 13 C-130E and 6 C-130B aircrafts will be realized within the scope of the program, the contract price of which is 181 million USD. Within the scope of the program, Aselsan, STM, AYESAŞ, Selex, MEGE Teknik, BITES and MilSOFT have responsibilities as subcontractors.
