Avionics Modernization Program (AMP)

Abstract

To date, Boeing has completed all Critical Design Reviews (CDR) for AMP's hardware and majority of the software requirements. First flight with the initial software build was in Aug 08. Software upgrades will continue into 2011. Retrofit of the three test aircraft to production configuration was completed in Jun 10. Developmental efforts for the AMP's training systems will continue through FY13. In addition, this System Development & Design (SDD) contract allows for Special Mission analyses, studies, and engineering efforts in support of additional Mission Design Series (MDS) and planning for future block upgrades. The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) Phase I consolidates and installs the mandated Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) capabilities, the AF Navigation/Safety modifications and C-130 Broad Area Review requirements on AF's 221 Combat Delivery C-130s. These mods are incorporated with other Reliability, Maintainability, and Sustainability (RM&S) upgrades which include: new fleet-wide weather radars, aircrew displays, dual autopilots, dual flight management systems and HF/UHF/VHF radios/data links. An AMP-equipped C-130 will be able to safely and effectively operate worldwide in today's and tomorrow's airspace. In addition to meeting CNS/ATM and Nav/Safety requirements, AMP will also lower the cost of ownership and increase survivability of the Mobility Air Forces' (MAF) C-130 Combat Delivery fleet. This fleet consists of three different MDSs to be modified by AMP: C-130H2, H2.5, and H3s. Within each of these MDSs, multiple cockpit and avionics variations exist. Today, these differences create significant logistics support and aircrew training inefficiencies. Also, these differences greatly complicate aircrew/aircraft scheduling and interoperability particularly at forward operating locations. C-130 AMP standardizes the cockpit configurations and avionics suites for these different variants into a single cockpit configuration by installing a core avionics package with a common cockpit layout, eliminating many of these logistics, interoperability and training issues. A number of C-130 obsolescence and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues were addressed during SDD resulting in new hardware incorporated in the AMP design. Shown here are RDT&E funds for only C-130 AMP Phase I. The SDD contract was awarded to The Boeing Company on 30 Jul 01. From FY02-05, the combination of funding and requirements instability, coupled with increases in development costs pushed AMP into cost and schedule breaches. With the completion of an Air Force Service Cost Position in Oct 06, a major cost deviation was confirmed. In Dec 06, a Program Deviation Report (PDR) was issued and a critical Nunn-McCurdy (N-M) breach was reported to Congress in Feb 07. In Jun 07, following a five month review, USD(AT&L) recertified AMP to Congress, albeit for a reduced number of 222 aircraft, further reduced to 221 due to a Jun 08 aircraft loss. This program is now called C-130 AMP Phase I (AMP PH-I). This certified fleet constitutes the majority of AF's Combat Delivery fleets operated by AMC, ANG and AFRC. The 119 Special Mission and 47 C-130H1 Combat Delivery aircraft, separated from core AMP at N-M certification in Jun 07, are now referred to as AMP Phase II. Disposition of these 166 aircraft will be addressed as a separate modification program. All aircraft flight test Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E) requirements were completed in Dec 09. Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) is scheduled to start in 2nd quarter FY12. Software Build 0.2 will require follow-on Development and Operational Testing scheduled to begin in 4th quarter FY12. Funding to complete SDD was reprogrammed from 3010 to 3600 in FY12 and FY13. On 19 Jun 10, USD/AT&L issued an ADM approving C-130 AMP's entrance into the Low-Rate Initial Production and Deployment Phase. The ADM authorized installation of Lot 1 AMP kits, procurement & installation of Lots 2 & 3 kits at the depot and at the contractors' facilities. BA7- This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full-rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 674885_0401115F_7_3600_PB_2012

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

• 5G
• 5G - DoD 5G Program
• Space