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Press release from Derco Aerospace

Lockheed C-130B Hercules, 58-0742, c/n 3539

Release Data: Feb 18, 2000

Derco Aerospace, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, has been awarded a contract estimated to total over $10.0 million for upgrade of C-130 aircraft for the Botswana Defence Force.

The Botswana Defence Force, which currently operates two C-130B aircraft, has obtained a third aircraft from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC) in Tucson, Arizona as part of the Excess Defense Article (EDA) Program. Derco is under contract and has completed recovery of this aircraft from AMARC, and is currently performing Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM), and various systems upgrades, including the addition of multi disc brakes.

The avionics upgrade will include all three aircraft and will replace obsolete avionic systems with new digital units and also will introduce equipment to meet new CNS/ATM requirements. Equipment will be installed to improve system reliability including, dual digital autopilots, multi-function display systems, color weather radar, digital engine instrument display systems and an electrical system upgrade. System improvements to meet new CNS/ATM requirements include the introduction of VHF communications systems (with 8.33 channel spacing) with datalink capability, navigation system update to include FM immunity, introduction of flight management systems (dual) with embedded PGS, and retrofit of ringlaser gyro INS. Mode S tranponders will be installed and future growth paths are incorporated in the upgrade to include systems such as TCAS II.

Technical manual updates and training on the new equipment will be included as part of Derco's complete upgrade services. In addition, Derco currently has three technical representatives in Botswana who are training the Botswana Defence Force and offering technical support for all C-130 operations.

The Botswana Defence Force contract is the latest in a series of contracts Derco has been awarded to support foreign military operators. Derco initiated the retrofit of new digital avionics on aging C-130B, E and H model aircraft, including installation of VHF with datalink and TCASII on C-130H aircraft for an undisclosed customer. In 1999, Derco was awarded the contract to provide total support for the Romanian Air Force C-130 fleet; in late 1998 Derco was awarded a $50 million contract to upgrade C-130E aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force which included updates to the INS and VHF as well as TCASII installations as part of the SIVAM program. Derco also recently completed PDMs for two the South African Air Force C-130 aircraft that were obtained from AMARC under the EDA program.

According to Max Dermond, president of Derco Aerospace, "This latest contract with Botswana reinforces our position as a leading provider and integrator of avionics upgrade packages that are customized to meet the end user's requirements. The combination of avionics packages, program management, system integration, OEM product support, maintenance coordination and component places Derco at the forefront of industries supplying total aircraft services."

Moreover, while Derco Aerospace has developed a strong reputation in the C-130 support market, the company has extended its capability to include support for fighter platforms and is currently pursuing several upgrade and program management opportunities for F-4, F-5, F-16 and A-4 aircraft.

Press release reproduced with the kind permission of
Sharon Aspenleiter,
Advertising/Creative Manager,
Derco Aerospace, Inc.



For further information on Derco Aerospace visit their web site at http://www.dercoaerospace.com