The Air Force’s avionics modernization program for its C-130 Hercules fleet has faced technical difficulties and rising costs. However, according to Rebecca Christie of Dow Jones Newswires, the service blames the problems on “more ambitious requirements” and does not fault design and development contractor Boeing. The service plans to hold another competition to cover AMP installation for the majority of the C-130s to be upgraded, since the original deal with Boeing fell victim to the Darleen Druyun affair. The number to be upgraded is still in flux, since the Air Force probably will not revamp its oldest Hercules, the C-130E models.
Lockheed Martin plans to enter the Advanced Tactical Trainer fray to supply the Air Force with a new jet to bridge between undergraduate flight instruction and fighter training units, but declined to say whether it will offer a T-50A derivative, a different non-developmental airplane, or a clean-sheet design. It's comments…