Hellenic Air Force C-130H Upgrades

L-3 Communications , NEW YORK: L-3 Communications announced today that its SPAR Aerospace Limited (L-3 SPAR) subsidiary and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) held a ceremony at HAI's facilities in Tanagra, Greece in the presence of the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force (HAF), the General Director of Hellenic Ministry of Defence (HMOD) Staff, the Ambassador of Canada to Greece, and high ranking officials of HMOD to mark the delivery to the HAF of the second C-130H aircraft in its Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP). This aircraft was the first to be modified in Greece at HAI's facilities using the AUP kit provided by L-3 SPAR. 
 
The first C-130H was upgraded at L-3 SPAR's facilities in Edmonton, Canada. With the delivery of this second aircraft, L-3 SPAR has completed the required training of HAI technicians. The first C-130B prototype will be delivered to the HAF in the spring of 2006 in Edmonton. The remaining 12 aircraft (eight H models and four B models) will be modified for the AUP by HAI in Greece. 
 
“This program is an excellent example of how our Herc 2020 solution, an end-to-end life extension solution for the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, can address the complex needs of operators worldwide. Herc 2020 can extend the service life of a C-130 by 15 to 20 years at an affordable and competitive price.” said Patrice Pelletier, president of L-3 SPAR. “We welcome the collaboration with HAI on this program and other similar programs. This in-country collaboration is a vivid example of L-3 SPAR's commitment to its global customers and to the C-130 market. We look forward to working with other in-country partners around the globe to develop innovative Herc 2020 solutions.” 
 
“The participation of HAI in the C-130 program from the development phase, is a major contributor to the upgrade of HAI's role, setting the basis for the development of new technologies and capabilities to jointly participate in other similar programs in the global market,” stated Tassos Philippakos, CEO of HAI.  
 
Hellenic Aerospace Industry S.A. is the largest state-owned defense and aerospace industry in Greece and was established in 1975. HAI's main activities are in manufacturing and support of military and civil aircraft, engines and avionics; in defense electronics, optoelectronics and missile weapon systems; and in satellite communication networks. 
 
A subsidiary of New York City-based L-3 Communications, SPAR Aerospace Limited is one of Canada's leading aerospace companies and is a Lockheed Martin approved C-130 Hercules aircraft service center – the only one in North America outside of Lockheed Martin itself. L-3 SPAR's corporate headquarters are located in Edmonton, Alberta, with additional facilities in Trenton, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario and Venice, Italy. With more than 800 employees across Canada, L-3 SPAR is a globally competitive market leader of MRO and Aircraft Life Extension Solutions for air mobility platforms.