Collins Aerospace has been selected to deliver NP2000 propeller systems for an additional 26 C-130H aircraft for the U.S. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The Air Force plans to retrofit around 140 C-130H with NP2000 and has now ordered NP2000 upgrades for 83 C-130H aircraft.
Collins has installed the system on 16 Air Force C-130H to date, including aircraft for the Georgia, Nevada and Wyoming Air National Guard units.
“NP2000 incorporates advanced technologies that provide operators increased thrust, reduced maintenance and enhanced crew comfort,” said Quinlan Lyte, senior director, Propeller Systems for Collins Aerospace. “For these reasons, the Air Force has made NP2000 a central part of its C-130H modernization efforts.”
With its eight composite blades and digital Electronic Propeller Control System (EPCS), NP2000 offers a 20% thrust increase during take-off, a 50% reduction in maintenance man-hours and a 20db sound reduction in the cockpit compared to legacy systems.
NP2000 is also in service with U.S. and international customers on the E-2 and C-2 aircraft. The system has accumulated more than 1 million flight hours since entering service in 2004.