C-130s upgraded with curved props

[unhappycamper]

An LC-130 used by the New York National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing for Arctic missions has been equipped with a new kind of propeller for cold weather.


C-130s upgraded with curved props
By Sam LaGrone - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 14, 2008 8:01:50 EDT

The Air Guard’s pre-eminent cold weather fliers are upgrading their C-130s with new propellers.

The 109th Airlift Wing of Scotia, N.Y., will be upgrading LC-130Hs to better handle the supply mission at both poles.

In September, the 109th received their first C-130 equipped with a NP2000 composite propeller manufactured by Hamilton Sundstrand of Connecticut.

The curved eight-bladed propellers are designed to replace the current four-bladed versions used on the LC-130, which is modified with skis designed to land on snow and unimproved runways.

The new props were installed at the 109th after a five-month test period with the Wyoming Air National Guard.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/10/airforce_cold_props_101308/%2e