RAF Airlift
The RAF Airlift Business Stream is dedicated to supporting the RAF’s C-130 Hercules and
L-1011 Tristar fleets, for which Marshall Aerospace holds Competent Design Organisation status for both aircraft types.
Integrated Operational Support
The C-130 and Tristar perform the critical air transport and air refuelling capabilities for UK troops in the Middle East and
beyond. Under the Hercules and Tristar Integrated Operational Support contracts – HIOS and TRIOS - Marshall acts as the Prime
Contractor in the delivery of support services to the front line. The partnered arrangements include a significant Industry
presence at RAF Lyneham for the C-130 and RAF Brize Norton for the Tristar, to provide early, informed and tangible support to
the front-line squadrons, which deliver a significant part of the UK’s airlift capability. Aircraft maintenance is carried out
‘Depth’ locations against strict quality and delivery standards, while the HIOS and TRIOS programmes are managed from Marshall’s
main site at Cambridge. Our main partners include the MOD, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, Flight Support Services and Abu Dhabi
Aerospace Technologies, together with a large number of specialist suppliers. IOS characteristics are measurable Key Performance
Indicators, long term arrangements to allow investment and planning, outputs related to front-line need and incentives for meeting
performance standards.
Modification and Upgrade
The Airlift Business stream also manages the design, development, manufacture, installation and test of many modifications and Urgent
Operational Requirements for the C-130 and Tristar. These aircraft modification can be categorised into two distinct capability groupings:
- Self-Protection: the range of modifications in this category includes Fuel Tank Inerting (FTI), either through installation of explosive suppressant foam or by nitrogen ‘flooding’ systems; structural modifications like flight deck armour, underbelly protection, air-to-air refuelling upgrades and outer-wing re-lifing. Additionally, defensive aids systems (DAS), infra-red counter measures (IRCM), SATCOM radios and other secure installations such as the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) are carried out by Marshall.
- CNS/ATM Legislation: in order to operate freely in controlled airspace, the RAF C-130 and Tristar fleets are progressively receiving CNS/ATM-compliant modifications. From stand-alone Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM), Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) to 8.33-compliant radio installations, these modifications provide the underpinning technologies to allow C-130 and Tristar freedom to operate in increasingly congested airspace. Marshall’s flagship CNS/ATM modification is a complete ‘glass’ flight deck upgrade on the Tristar fleet, which will replace a number of obsolete components while delivering a fully integrated and compliant solution for the RAF. To control costs, a significant element of the design and development has been read across from Marshall’s experience on the Royal Netherlands Air Force C-130 upgrade programme.
What are Your Fleets’ Requirements?
This wealth of experience in integrated service provision, maintenance, logistics and upgrades (often at very short notice), honed over many years
with our RAF partners, means that Marshall can satisfy your fleets’ requirements in a flexible and cost-effective manner. If you require any further
information please go to ‘Contact Us’ and we would be delighted to support your future needs.
