Marshall Aerospace has secured a multi-year extension to its Engineering Support Programme (ESP) contract for the legacy C-130 aircraft operated by the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force.

The agreement, concluded with Commando Materieel en IT, will see Marshall’s Aero Engineering Services team continue providing specialist technical support for the RNLASF fleet of four C-130H Hercules aircraft until their eventual retirement from service.

Operating under Marshall’s support-to-operations service model, the Cambridge-based engineering team provides direct technical assistance to front-line operators and Dutch airworthiness personnel. Support includes advice on repairs, spare parts, modifications, service bulletins and technical documentation to help maximise aircraft availability and operational capability.

Mark Hewer, Director of Aero Engineering Services at Marshall Aerospace, said the extension reflects the close relationship developed between the two organisations over many years.

“We are delighted to continue this very successful technical support arrangement with RNLASF which has seen our two teams working incredibly closely in support of 336 Squadron’s C-130H fleet,” Hewer said.

“As the aircraft enter a new phase of their operational lifecycles our expertise on legacy C-130 aircraft will translate directly to availability as we respond to unique challenges related to retirement from service.”

The contract extension further strengthens a partnership between Marshall and the Dutch air force that has now spanned three decades. Over the years Marshall has provided the fleet with engineering support, maintenance, supply chain services and major aircraft modifications.

One of the most significant projects was completed in 2012 when Marshall carried out extensive upgrades across all four aircraft through the Cockpit Upgrade Programme (CUP) and Cabin Safety Improvement Programme (CSIMP). These upgrades included removing outdated systems, integrating commercial off-the-shelf technology and developing tailored solutions to meet Dutch operational requirements.

Two of the aircraft were originally operated by the U.S. Navy as EC-130Q maritime electronic warfare variants before being placed into long-term storage in Tucson, Arizona. Marshall later led the recovery, dismantling, transportation and conversion of the aircraft to standard C-130H configuration in Cambridge — a project regarded as one of the company’s most complex engineering undertakings.