As part of increasing its transport capacity, the Chilean Air Force (FACh), through the aeronautical company ENAER, continues with the modernization of the propeller of the K/C-130H/R transport and refueling aircraft. In particular, this involves the incorporation of the new NP-2000 propellers provided by Collins Aerospace.
The first aircraft to receive this upgrade was the KC-130R with registration number FACH 992. The upgrade involves replacing the four-blade propellers with eight-blade ones, constructed of carbon fiber coated in Kevlar. According to the characteristics indicated by Collins Aerospace, this system allows for ‘reduction of vibration and interior noise while improving propeller speed and synchronization maintenance,’ as well as ‘improving performance by increasing power and reliability, while reducing maintenance times and costs by around 50%,’ as reported by the FACh.
From the recent interview conducted by Zona Militar with ENAER, in addition to the NP-2000 propeller replacement program, the Chilean company, which is certified by Lockheed Martin for maintenance tasks, is part of the Hologram program. This program grants for the manufacturing of parts for the C-130 aircraft which are undergoing inspection work at their facilities.
To date, three (3) Hercules aircraft have already received this modernization, all of which are operational. This project originated at FIDAE 2022, when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between ENAER and Lockheed Martin, with the aim of pursuing joint commercial objectives for maintenance of strategic aircraft of the Chilean Air Force (FACH) and other business ventures.
That same year, the program to replace propellers on FACH C-130 aircraft began, with the support of DTS SpA and the U.S.-based company Tyonek. It is worth noting that this work is being carried out for the first time outside of the United States, granting ENAER the ability to perform propeller changes for C-130 operators worldwide, in addition to providing maintenance for Allison T-56 engines.
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