DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 086/10
Monday, 29 March 2010
Operative date reached for C-130J through life support
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has reached an important milestone with
industry partner Australian Aerospace and its prime subcontractor Lockheed Martin in
the Through Life Support (TLS) contract for the fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft.
Australian Aerospace assumed responsibility for C-130J platform stewardship,
engineering management, logistics management, and aircraft deeper maintenance
from 11 March 2010.
Working together, the DMO, Australian Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and members
of the RAAF have been able to achieve this significant effort on schedule.
Group Captain Michael Brown, Officer Commanding of Air Lift Systems Program
Office, said teaming with industry under this contract coupled with performance
based contract extensions will incentivise industry to improve efficiency and increase
availability of Hercules.
The $292 million TLS contract was awarded in March 2009 for provision of deeper
level maintenance, engineering support and logistics management for the C-130J.
"Achievement of the C-130J TLS Operative Date is the culmination of both
significant effort and collaboration by both Defence Industry and the DMO,” Group
Captain Brown said.
Under the TLS contract greater responsibility will be transferred from Defence to
Industry for logistics management and engineering.
“The achievement of Operative Date means that Industry commenced providing the
full range of recurring services under the TLS contract from 11 March 2010,” Group
Captain Brown said.
The TLS contractor team consists of Australian Aerospace and sub-contractor
Lockheed Martin. Propulsion support is provided separately by Standard Aero. Last
November, Australian Aerospace inducted its first C-130J into its deeper level
maintenance facility at RAAF Base Richmond. It will make its first post-maintenance
test flight late this month.
The TLS contract covers an initial six-year period with further annual extensions
available based on performance and efficiency potentially providing support until C-
130J Planned Withdrawal Date of 2030.
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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