Marshall and Dowty strengthen C-130J prop partnership

Image courtesy Marshall

The new agreement will strengthen what is already a close relationship between the two companies, establishing a standardised pricing framework for repair and overhaul of C-130J propellers and laying the groundwork for C-130J operators to access Dowty products and services through Marshall.

Chris Dare, MRO Services and Solutions Director, Marshall Aerospace, said: “We are excited to work so closely with Dowty to offer cost-effective support that will benefit C-130J operators around the world.

“Our partnership is built on the common ground shared by two British aerospace pioneers with strong engineering legacies and leading roles in today’s C-130 ecosystem.”

Dowty’s composite R391 propeller has powered the C-130J in conjunction with the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 turboprop since 1994, achieving a level of operational reliability fitting for the world’s most popular tactical airlifter.

Paolo Riccio, Rest of World Services Leader, Dowty, said: “Dowty is extremely proud to continue on this exciting journey with Marshall Aerospace, with whom we have an already strong collaborative partnership.

“Our local synergy, joint experience, and expertise are hallmarks of the alliance we have built to date and will hold us in good stead for the duration of this agreement and beyond.”

Marshall and Dowty are among the earliest companies to have supported the C-130J. During the model’s development in the early 1990s, Lockheed Martin tasked Marshall with modifying a previous generation C-130K for use as a test bed for the new engine-propeller combination.

Marshall replaced the aircraft’s T56 engine with a near-production AE 2100 turboprop and, with support from Dowty, installed the newly developed six-bladed R391 propeller. The success of this modification and test programme paved the way for the launch of the C-130J in the following years.