Cascade Aerospace Inc. in Abbotsford recently delivered the final CC-130J Hercules to the Royal Canadian Air Force after the entire fleet received the Block 7.0 upgrade.
This marks a first for the entire aerospace industry and a first for Cascade as the only non-government organization to complete a production Block upgrade in the global C-130J fleet.
Cascade Aerospace, North America’s only C-130J heavy maintenance centre, is also fully certified to service and maintain aircraft for departments and agencies of the government of the United States, including the entire C-130 Hercules fleet.
“Capitalizing on our current contracts to maintain and support Canada’s CC-130 Hercules fleets, as well as the work we have done internationally, we are able to provide the best taxpayer value to modernize the CC-130Js, ensuring these aircraft operate to their fullest ability,” said Ben Boehm, Cascade executive vice president and COO.
“At Cascade Aerospace, with our ISO and Aerospace Standard series quality certifications, we are equally ready to immediately assist U.S. military and civilian agencies as well.”
Boehm said Cascade Aerospace was able to limit downtime to an average of 35 days per aircraft for the upgrade, adding 29 enhancements to Canada’s CC-130J Hercules.
The Block 7.0 upgrade includes improvements to navigation, communications, and maintenance capabilities, and allow Canada’s Hercules to remain at the forefront in tactical airlift operations, Boehm said.
He said that successfully managing and implementing complex aerospace programs involving engineering, project management, aircraft compliance and certification, and flight testing uniquely positions Cascade Aerospace as a growing global aerospace leader.
It also demonstrates how Canadian industry working in partnership with the military and manufacturers can create growth opportunities for the industry overall, he said.
