US Air Force contract launches Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 upgrade into C-130 fleet

The US Air Force will begin updating its C-130 transport fleet with the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade after awarding a US$36m contract. Series 3.5 kit deliveries will begin in December 2015 and introduce the engine improvements into USAF and US Air National Guard C-130s. The Series 3.5 upgrade kits are already demonstrating success in a Hurricane Hunter WP-3D aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with fuel savings exceeding 12 percent. NOAA flight data also showed significantly lower turbine temperatures, improved high-altitude performance and generated much faster engine starts. The Series 3.5 upgrade, which was designed and funded by Rolls-Royce, allows T56 engines to operate at greatly reduced temperatures, extending parts life and improving reliability by 22%. The upgrades also provide improved “hot and high” performance. The Series 3.5 package can be installed on T56 engines on either C-130 or P-3 legacy aircraft.