Marshall ADG signs deal with QinetiQ to sell and install lightweight armour for C-130 Hercules aircraft
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group will become the first company to certify new lightweight armour on the C-130 Hercules used by air forces around the world.
The Cambridge company has signed an exclusive agreement QinetiQ to market, sell and install the latest generation of lightweight armour for the aircraft.
The LAST Armor LWA is about half the weight but offers air crew the same protection as the previous LAST Armor.
The weight reduction saves fuel, reduces the impact on the aircraft’s centre of gravity and allows the C-130-30 variant its full cargo carrying capacity.
Marshall ADG’s sales director, Matthew Harvey said: “Being able to offer C-130 operators a lightweight armour solution that provides the same level of threat protection as the current LAST Armor demonstrates our commitment to protecting people in critical situations.
“Crew safety is paramount and critical to mission success and we’re pleased to be able to provide this capability to customers through this partnership with QinetiQ.’
The armour helps to protect air force crew against small arms fire.
Manufactured from high tenacity polyethylene, it is approximately 380kg (840lb) lighter than the current LAST Armor solution on the C -130J.
Environmental coatings mean the armour remains relatively inert throughout its service life, even in the harshest of environments.
Dan Deguire, vice president of QinetiQ Inc, said: “Since 1995, LAST Armor has provided critical protection from small arms fire on hundreds of C-130J, C-130E/H, C-5, and C-17s, as well as several other aircraft platforms. We are excited to have this opportunity to partner with Marshall ADG to launch our next generation of improved lightweight armor products worldwide.”
The armour can be easily installed during scheduled maintenance or as a standalone activity.
Marshall ADG is a world leader in the maintenance of C-130 Hercules aircraft, working on them for more than 10 countries.
QinetiQ is a security and defence contract with a base in Farnborough, Hampshire.
Read more
Marshall ADG secures multi-million pound contract to update Austrian Air Force’s C-130K aircraft
Marshall ADG gives US Navy’s new Fat Albert its new livery
Why the Union flag on the Prime Minister’s Voyager plane isn’t wrong, backwards or upside down
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rules out IWM Duxford as its new home
