The second L-100 transport aircraft of the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), registration FAP-397, after receiving a complete avionics upgrade, completed flight tests and was accepted for return to service.

Astronautics Corporation of America, the company commissioned by the FAP as prime contractor for the modernization, reports that it successfully retrofitted the aircraft with its Badger integrated flight display system, which provides an integrated glass cockpit designed to maximize crew situational awareness with digital interfaces and displays, enhanced functionality and additional safety features that provide information such as traffic, terrain and weather status.  Astronautics’ Badger integrated flight display system supports the use of night vision goggles (NVG), if required by the customer.

The Badger system includes six 6×8-inch LCD displays for electronic flight and engine instrument displays, and displays for the caution warning system with dual engine data concentrator units.

Astronautics was the company that was also in charge of the modernization of the FAP’s first Lockheed L-100. The contract had been signed in 2015 and the modernized aircraft, registration FAP-382, was delivered to the Air Force during March 2017. By the end of August 2021, the company had announced that the Hercules L-100 registration FAP-397 was soon to be completed. The contract for its modernization had been signed at the end of 2019, for an amount of almost $6 million.

As prime contractor for the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) conducted by the FAP on its two Lockheed L-100s, Astronautics also managed the integration of the display systems, flight management system, global positioning system and autopilot/flight director, along with a complete set of navigation and communication radios. Astronautics further supported the FAP by providing pilot and technician training, as well as all related technical documentation.

«This order from the FAP confirms their confidence in Astronautics’ proven expertise in modernizing complete C-130 cockpits, providing a reliable and affordable solution that improves situational awareness and safety for their fleet,» said Jim Jackalone, Astronautics’ vice president of sales and business development.  «The integrated, all-glass (glass cockpit) upgrade provides capability and longevity for the FAP L-100 fleet for years to come.»

The L-100 is a civilian version of the C-130, a model of which Peru has two units, whose avionics have now been completely modernized, and together with the two KC-130Hs recently acquired from the Spanish Ejercito del Aire (EdA) surplus, represent the core of the Peruvian Air Force’s medium/heavy transport capability, and will be for many years to come.