New aviation laws in 2020 could threaten Navy cargo plane if IOC is further delayed

A flight test delay in one of the Navy's avionics upgrade programs for the C/KC-130T cargo plane now puts the service up against a deadline that would threaten the aircraft’s ability to conduct operational missions, according to a top aviation official.

The Avionics Obsolescence Upgrade provides enhancements that bring the Navy’s cargo planes into compliance with new mandates from both national and international laws, Rear Adm. Scott Conn, the Navy’s top air warfare requirements officer, testified Sept. 28 to the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee.

"These mandates begin in 2020 and if not met, will prevent the Navy's only medium lift rapid response aircraft from meeting operational missions," he said in written testimony.

However, the Navy's planned fiscal year 2018 flight test was delayed to FY-19 because all C/KC-130Ts were grounded following a July 2017 crash that killed more than a dozen Marines and one sailor.

As a result, the service pushed AOU's projected initial operational capability date to the second quarter of FY-20 -- which means the aircraft is now expected to reach IOC around the same time the new laws are slated to take effect.

Conn added that the FY-19 budget request included $15.2 million to conduct those tests. The president is expected to sign the FY-19 defense spending bill today.