Second Hercules heads to Canada

Another Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft is due in Canada tomorrow to start modifications extending its life until 2017.

The work includes a centre wing refurbishment, a major rewire, new flight deck instrumentation and updated communication and navigation systems.

The aircraft will be the second of the air force's fleet of five Hercules to be upgraded by L-3 Communications Spar Aerospace in Edmonton.

Work on the other three will be done by Safe Air Limited in Blenheim.

The first C-130 being upgraded now in Canada is expected back in New Zealand in the middle of next year with the entire upgrade due for completion in 2011.

The Hercules project is part of the RNZAF's major aircraft modernisation programme.

More than 30 new or upgraded aircraft will be introduced into service by the end of 2011.

- NZPA