Lockheed Martin Owego to Modernize C-130T Cockpits

Lockheed Martin's Tioga County facility will be working to make technological improvements to the cockpits of C-130T aircraft for the U.S. Navy.

The $30 million contract was awarded by the United States Naval Air Systems Command.

John Aebli, Lockheed Martin director of avionics products, says the initial design, development and manufacturing of the program is getting underway now. It's scheduled to run through March 2016.

The Owego-based unit will deliver nine cockpit kits to the Navy. The equipment will provide a more modern configuration of avionics and software, extending the useful life of the aircraft by two decades.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Aebli said about 200 people at the Lockheed Martin Owego site will be working on various aspects of the project.

Aebli said the company does not expect to add workers at the Tioga County plant for this contract.