Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group has hosted an event at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW, to mark the successful completion of the AIR5440 program, an important milestone in the delivery of a complex air mobility capability upgrade achieved through strong defence industry collaboration. The program focused on delivering crucial upgrades to RAAF’s fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft. Its completion ensures the fleet remains safe, compliant, interoperable and operationally relevant in a modern and evolving airspace environment. Upgrades delivered under AIR5440 include enhanced avionics, communications and navigation systems; improvements to safety-critical software and hardware; upgraded mission systems and satellite datalink capability; and enhanced instrument approach capability to meet contemporary airspace requirements.
Director General Airlift and Tanker Systems Air Commodore Noel Corbet said,“The event was about recognising the journey, acknowledging the achievement and strengthening partnerships for the future. This program completion is an impressive milestone for Defence and industry. This event is an appropriate acknowledgment for all personnel involved in delivering the program and the strength that is derived from collaboration as a foundation for our future capability delivery. Without the persistence, resilience and commitment of the teams across Defence, our international partners and industry over the life of the project, none of this would have been possible.”
Delivered in close partnership with industry partners Lockheed Martin Australia, Airbus and CAE, the program has strengthened the C-130J fleet’s mission effectiveness, communications and access to both national and international airspace. These enhancements support Defence’s ability to conduct air mobility operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as regional and coalition missions. The 12 aircraft have been brought up to Block 8.1 under Project AIR 5440, through updates to aircraft systems and safety-critical software and hardware. The first aircraft was upgraded in the US by Lockheed Martin, with support from the US Air Force, while the remaining 11 were modified at RAAF Base Richmond by Airbus Australia Pacific, the fleet’s sustainment partner.
The C-130J-30 Hercules is a medium-sized tactical air-lifter which can deliver cargo to airfields with short unsurfaced runways, and airdrop cargo and paratroops by parachute. A fleet of 12 C-130J-30 Hercules are operated from RAAF Base Richmond by No. 37 Squadron. The aircraft were delivered to the base between 1999 and 2001. The Australian Defence Force relies extensively on the C-130J-30 when deploying personnel and aid. The aircraft can also be used in other roles, such as search and survivor assistance, and medical evacuation. The C-130J-30 Hercules can carry up to 124 passengers, or eight pallets of cargo. It can work alongside other airlifters, including the C-27J Spartan and C-17A Globemaster III. Upgrades to the C-130J-30 have enhanced communications and information-sharing, and improved the aircraft’s endurance during battle.
