UK-based maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) specialist Marshall has been named as the first Lockheed Martin-approved centre of excellence for centre wing box replacements on the C-130 transport aircraft.
Leaders from both companies gathered to mark the achievement during the 2024 Hercules Orion Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, from 21 to 24 October near the C-130 production line in Marietta, Georgia.
Marshall has completed nearly 80 C-130 centre wing box replacements since 2004 and remains the only organisation to have performed these highly complex procedures on both legacy C-130 platforms and the current-production-model C-130J Super Hercules. Furthermore, no other organisations have successfully completed a C-130J centre wing box replacement outside of the United States.
The centre wing is a major primary structure of an aircraft, referred to as a ‘lifed article’. The purpose of a centre wing box replacement is thus to extend the operational life of an aircraft. While the original centre wings fitted during the manufacture of a C-130 have a lifespan of approximately 19,000 hours, installing a new enhanced-service-life centre wing effectively relifes the aircraft, maintaining airworthiness and potentially extending its lifespan by decades.
Lockheed Martin supplies Marshall with service bulletins, bespoke tooling and kits with all of the parts and components required to perform C-130 centre wing replacements. While the original centre wing is removed, interfacing structures and main frames are thoroughly inspected and serviced before the enhanced-service-life centre wing is installed and the internal wiring and plumbing is replaced.
“We are incredibly proud to have added yet another world first to our C-130 engineering credentials,” Bob Baxter, Marshall’s chief growth officer, was quoted as saying by the two companies. “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.”
“Recognising Marshall as the first Lockheed Martin-approved centre of excellence for its work leading the C-130 centre wing box replacement programme is a natural choice,” added Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “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 conducting centre wing replacements on 12 C-130J aircraft, eight of which have been completed, with a further four to go. Due to the various modifications that the aircraft have undergone, specialist adaptations to the process have been required for this fleet to ensure a seamless integration.
Based in Cambridge, Marshall has supported the global C-130 fleet since 1966. The company was the first authorised C-130 service centre in the world and also has the distinction of being the first C-130J Super Hercules service centre as well.
