New £1.52bn Hercules support contract awarded to Marshall Aerospace

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Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 02 Jun 2006 16:23

Marshall Aerospace a has won a £1.52 billion contract to support MoD’s fleet of Hercules transport aircraft and guarantee improved availability of aircraft to the RAF over the next 24 years.

As prime contractor, Marshall Aerospace will work in partnership with the MoD’s Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), the RAF, Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce to deliver the Hercules Integrated Operational Support (HIOS) programme. The contract will see up to 60 new jobs created in Cambridge and will help secure work for the future for around 500 staff at Marshall Aerospace who are currently employed in the support of the Hercules fleet.

The contract covers all aspects of Hercules support. Depth maintenance will be provided by Marshall Aerospace at Cambridge. The RAF will continue to provide frontline forward maintenance. These will both be supported by the Lockheed Martin-led supply chain and propulsion system support from Rolls Royce.

The RAF Hercules fleet, based at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, comprises 24 C-130K and 25 C-130J aircraft used in the air transport and aeromedical evacuation role, to support the front-line in theatres of operation. The RAF's versatile 'work-horse of the skies' has also been at the forefront of humanitarian aid work across Africa and recently in support of the earthquake relief mission in the mountains of Pakistan.

Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: "This contract will transform the way we support Hercules and will see real benefits for our Armed Forces as it guarantees aircraft to the front line, ready to fly, more of the time. It is an excellent example of the Defence Industrial Strategy in action where we are working more closely with industry to ensure the future sustainment of a vital military capability. The Hercules has a superb operational record and our contract with Marshall Aerospace will ensure that this continues. This contract is also good news for the British taxpayer, saving in excess of £171m over the next 24 years"

The DLO, a key element of the UK Ministry of Defence, is responsible for supporting the Armed Forces throughout the various stages of an operation or exercise; from training, deployment, in-theatre training and conduct of operations, through to recovery and recuperation ready for redeployment.

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