Defense & Military
Marshall and Dowty Enhance C-130J Propeller Support Partnership
Marshall Aerospace and Dowty Propellers formalize an alliance to streamline MRO services for the C-130J R391 propeller system, benefiting global operators.
In the world of military aviation, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is a global workhorse, relied upon by Air-Forces for its rugged versatility and tactical airlift capabilities. Keeping this extensive global fleet mission-ready requires a complex ecosystem of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. A new strategic agreement between two pillars of the British aerospace industry, Marshall Aerospace and Dowty Propellers, is set to significantly streamline a critical aspect of this support chain. This partnership formalizes a long-standing relationship to provide a more effective and cost-efficient MRO solution for the C-130J’s advanced R391 propeller system.
The significance of this alliance extends beyond simple logistics. It represents a powerful synergy between an MRO specialist with decades of hands-on C-130 experience and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) of the propeller technology itself. For the 26 nations operating the Super Hercules, this collaboration promises a simplified supply chain, standardized pricing, and direct access to OEM-level expertise through a single, trusted point of contact. As we explore the details, it becomes clear that this agreement is built on a shared history and a forward-looking vision for global defense aviation support.
The collaboration between Marshall Aerospace and Dowty is not a recent development; it’s a relationship with roots reaching back to the very inception of the C-130J program. In the early 1990s, when the Super Hercules was still in development, Lockheed Martin entrusted Marshall with modifying a legacy C-130K aircraft to serve as a flying testbed. This crucial program was designed to integrate and prove the new combination of the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engine and Dowty’s innovative R391 propeller system, the very combination that powers the C-130J today. This foundational work underscores the deep, intrinsic knowledge both companies possess regarding the aircraft’s core systems.
Marshall Aerospace’s legacy with the Hercules platform began in 1966, establishing nearly six decades of specialized experience. The company is not just a service provider but a globally recognized authority, distinguished by Lockheed Martin as the world’s first authorized C-130 Service Centre. This deep trust is further exemplified by Marshall’s designation as a “Centre of Excellence” for one of the most complex structural repairs on the aircraft, the center wing box replacement. With a track record of supporting numerous international operators, including the air forces of India, Denmark, and Norway, Marshall brings an unparalleled level of MRO expertise to the table.
On the other side of the partnership is Dowty Propellers, a GE Aerospace company and the OEM for the R391 propeller system. This is not just any propeller; the R391 is a six-bladed, all-composite system engineered specifically for the C-130J. Its design, utilizing glass and carbon fiber with a polyurethane foam core, delivers a lightweight yet robust solution. This advanced technology is critical to the Super Hercules’ enhanced takeoff performance, climb rate, and reduced noise signature, making Dowty’s direct involvement in the support chain indispensable for maintaining peak operational capability.
“Our Partnerships 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.” – Chris Dare, MRO Services and Solutions Director, Marshall Aerospace
The primary objective of this formalized agreement is to deliver a more streamlined, effective, and predictable support system for the global C-130J fleet. The aircraft is a cornerstone of tactical airlift for dozens of countries, with over 500 units delivered as of early 2022. The global fleet has collectively surpassed three million flight hours, a testament to its reliability and the constant need for high-quality MRO services. This agreement directly addresses that need by creating a unified point of access for all propeller-related services.
A key benefit for operators is the establishment of a standardized pricing framework for the repair and overhaul of the R391 propellers. This move introduces cost predictability and simplifies budgeting for air forces, removing the complexities of negotiating services on a case-by-case basis. By channeling Dowty’s OEM products and services through Marshall Aerospace, operators can now manage their propeller MRO needs through a single, established partner. This simplifies procurement, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures that all work is performed to the highest OEM standards using approved parts and procedures.
This alliance reflects a wider, intelligent trend in the aerospace industry where MRO providers and OEMs collaborate to enhance service delivery. These partnerships leverage the MRO’s extensive service network and customer relationships with the OEM’s proprietary technical expertise and intellectual property. The result is a comprehensive support solution that maintains the highest levels of safety, quality, and aircraft availability. As Paolo Riccio of Dowty noted, the “local synergy, joint experience, and expertise are hallmarks of the alliance,” ensuring a robust support structure for the C-130J fleet for years to come. In summary, the agreement between Marshall Aerospace and Dowty Propellers marks a significant evolution in the MRO landscape for the C-130J Super Hercules. By formalizing their historic collaboration, the two companies have created a powerful, single-source solution for propeller support that directly benefits the aircraft’s global operators. The combination of Marshall’s world-renowned MRO capabilities and Dowty’s OEM expertise provides a seamless and efficient pathway for maintaining one of the most critical components of the aircraft.
Looking ahead, this partnership not only enhances the operational readiness of the existing C-130J fleet but also sets a new benchmark for OEM-MRO collaboration in the defense sector. It serves as a model for how specialized expertise can be integrated to provide greater value, predictability, and reliability to military operators worldwide. This strategic alliance reinforces the UK’s prominent position in the global aerospace industry and ensures that the legendary Super Hercules will continue to be supported by the very best in the business.
Question: Who are the main companies involved in this agreement? Question: What specific aircraft and component does this agreement cover? Question: What is the primary benefit for C-130J operators? Sources: Marshall Group
Marshall and Dowty Forge Alliance to Streamline C-130J Propeller Support
A Partnership Forged in History and Expertise
Deconstructing the Agreement: What It Means for Global Operators
A Strategic Step for Global Aviation Support
FAQ
Answer: The agreement is between Marshall Aerospace, a UK-based MRO specialist, and Dowty Propellers, a GE Aerospace company and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (Manufacturers) of the C-130J’s propeller system.
Answer: The agreement focuses on providing MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) services for the Dowty R391 propeller system used on the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Military-Aircraft.
Answer: The main benefit is a streamlined and more efficient support system. Operators gain a single point of contact through Marshall Aerospace for all their propeller MRO needs, with the assurance of OEM-quality service and a standardized pricing framework.
Photo Credit: Marshall Aerospace
Defense & Military
Embraer and Saab Unveil First Gripen E Fighter Produced in Brazil
Embraer and Saab unveiled the first Gripen E fighter jet assembled in Brazil, enhancing local defense manufacturing and fulfilling a 2014 contract.
This article is based on an official press release from Embraer.
On March 25, 2026, Embraer, Saab, and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) marked a historic milestone in Latin American aerospace by unveiling the first Gripen E fighter jet manufactured on Brazilian soil. The rollout ceremony took place at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, officially introducing the first supersonic fighter aircraft ever produced in the country.
According to the official press release, the event drew high-profile attendees, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Swedish Ambassador Karin Wallensteen, and top executives from both Embraer and Saab. The presentation of the aircraft highlights a successful technology transfer program and elevates Brazil into a select group of nations capable of manufacturing advanced combat aircraft.
The newly unveiled Gripen E is the result of a deeply integrated Brazilian and international supply chain. Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility handles the final assembly, utilizing aerostructures manufactured at Saab’s plant in São Bernardo do Campo. According to Embraer, 14 additional aircraft will be built using this exact production model under the current FAB contract.
Before being handed over to the customer, the newly assembled fighter will undergo rigorous functional and production flight testing. Once cleared, it will join the First Defense Group (1st GDA) stationed at the Anápolis Air Force Base.
Company leadership emphasized the broader implications of the rollout. In the press release, Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, highlighted the collaborative effort:
“…it symbolizes the strength of a partnership built on trust, long‑term vision, and true cooperation.”
The foundation for this manufacturing achievement was laid in 2014 when the Brazilian government signed a comprehensive contract with Saab. The agreement covers the development and production of 36 Gripen fighters, specifically 28 single-seat Gripen E models and eight two-seat Gripen F variants.
Deliveries from Sweden began in 2020, and the press release notes that at least 10 aircraft have already been handed over to the Brazilian Air Force. The Gripen fleet is already active; since February, the fighters have been executing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions from the Anápolis Air Force Base to safeguard the airspace over Brazil’s federal district. Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, noted the strategic importance of the local production capability, stating in the release:
“…developing, within Brazil, the capability to produce a high-tech supersonic fighter aircraft – fully capable of executing air superiority missions…”
We view the successful rollout of a domestically assembled Gripen E as a transformative moment for Embraer and the Brazilian defense sector. By proving it can assemble and integrate a sophisticated, network-centric supersonic fighter, Embraer significantly enhances its high-end military manufacturing portfolio. This capability not only fulfills Brazil’s immediate national security and airspace defense needs but also positions the Gavião Peixoto facility as a potential regional export and maintenance hub for South America. As neighboring countries evaluate their aging fighter fleets, we believe Brazil’s proven production line could offer Saab a strategic foothold for future Latin American sales.
Where was the first Brazilian-made Gripen E produced? How many Gripen fighters did Brazil order? How many more Gripens will be built in Brazil?
Production and Strategic Partnership
Details of the Gavião Peixoto Facility
Contract History and Operational Status
The 2014 Agreement
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The aircraft was assembled at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, using components including aerostructures from Saab’s facility in São Bernardo do Campo.
Under a 2014 contract, the Brazilian government ordered 36 Gripen fighters, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen E jets and 8 two-seat Gripen F jets.
According to the Embraer press release, 14 additional aircraft will be produced at the Gavião Peixoto facility under the current contract.
Sources
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
Japan Expands F-35B Fleet with Delivery to Nyutabaru Air Base
Japan received three F-35B fighters at Nyutabaru Air Base, advancing its goal to deploy eight F-35Bs by fiscal year 2025 end.
In late March 2026, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) received three additional F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. According to social media account @thef35 on X, the delivery highlights that procurement
“momentum continues” for the Japanese defense forces.
This latest arrival is a critical milestone. Based on defense research data, the delivery keeps Japan’s Ministry of Defense on track to meet its goal of deploying an initial batch of eight F-35Bs by the end of fiscal year 2025, which concludes on March 31, 2026. Japan received its first three F-35Bs on August 7, 2025, ferried by U.S. pilots, and officially activated the fleet for frontline service during a ceremony on February 7, 2026.
The integration of the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft represents a historic shift in Japan’s defense posture. Defense reports indicate Japan plans to acquire 147 F-35s in total, 105 conventional F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, making it the largest operator of the fifth-generation fighter outside the United States.
While the F-35Bs are operated by the JASDF, defense analysts note their primary strategic value lies in their integration with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
To accommodate the STOVL aircraft, Japan has been modifying its two largest warships, the Izumo-class helicopter destroyers JS Izumo and JS Kaga. According to defense research, these modifications include reshaping the bows into a rectangular configuration and applying heat-resistant deck coatings capable of withstanding the F-35B’s powerful lift fan.
These upgrades were put to the test recently. In October 2024, a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F-35B successfully conducted the first landing and takeoff trials on the modified JS Kaga off the coast of San Diego, California. This milestone effectively proved the vessel’s capability to operate as a light aircraft carrier, returning fixed-wing carrier aviation to the Japanese fleet for the first time since World War II.
Japan’s acquisition of the F-35B is widely viewed by defense researchers as a direct response to a tightening regional security environment, particularly the rapid military modernization and maritime maneuvers of China in the East and South China Seas. Nyutabaru Air Base is strategically located on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. Defense reports highlight that this positions the F-35B fleet in close proximity to the Nansei Islands chain, which stretches toward Taiwan and includes the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands. The STOVL capability allows Japan to project air power from the sea and operate from shorter, austere runways on remote islands.
Under its post-WWII pacifist constitution, Japan has historically maintained a strictly defensive military posture. The deployment of carrier-capable stealth fighters represents a shift toward what defense analysts term “active deterrence.” To navigate political sensitivities regarding offensive capabilities, the Japanese government officially classifies the Izumo and Kaga as “multi-functional destroyers” rather than aircraft carriers.
Despite the strategic momentum, the domestic rollout of the F-35B fleet has faced logistical and political hurdles.
According to defense research data, Japan is constructing a dedicated runway and training facility on the uninhabited island of Mageshima, located roughly 160 kilometers south of Nyutabaru. This facility is intended for F-35B Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) and vertical landing drills.
However, the Mageshima project has been delayed until approximately 2029 or 2030. Consequently, routine vertical landing training must be conducted at Nyutabaru Airports in the interim. This temporary arrangement has triggered protests and concerns from local residents in Miyazaki Prefecture regarding severe aircraft noise pollution.
We view the successful delivery of these F-35Bs as more than just a national defense upgrade for Japan; it is a foundational step for allied interoperability in the Indo-Pacific. By operating the F-35B from modified destroyers, Japan ensures seamless integration with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces, as well as other allied operators like the United Kingdom and Italy. This opens the door for future cross-decking operations, where allied jets can land on Japanese ships and vice versa, creating a highly flexible, distributed maritime strike capability that complicates adversary planning in the region.
According to defense procurement data, Japan plans to acquire a total of 147 F-35 military-aircraft, consisting of 105 F-35A conventional takeoff variants and 42 F-35B STOVL variants.
The F-35B features Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from amphibious assault ships, light aircraft carriers, and short or austere runways. To align with its post-WWII pacifist constitution, which limits offensive military capabilities, Japan officially classifies the modified Izumo-class vessels as “multi-functional destroyers” rather than aircraft carriers.
Sources: @thef35, Defense Research Report
Japan Expands F-35B Fleet with Latest Delivery to Nyutabaru Air Base
Strategic Shift: The “Lightning Carriers”
Vessel Modifications and Sea Trials
Geopolitical Drivers and Regional Defense
Defending the Nansei Islands
Domestic Challenges and Infrastructure
Local Impact at Nyutabaru
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many F-35s is Japan buying?
What makes the F-35B different?
Why are Japan’s carrier-capable ships called destroyers?
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
GKN Aerospace Delivers First Upgraded RM12 Engine to Swedish Armed Forces
GKN Aerospace delivers the first upgraded RM12 engine under a £32 million programme enhancing Sweden’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet performance and endurance.
This article is based on an official press release from GKN Aerospace.
GKN Aerospace has officially delivered the first upgraded RM12 engine to the Swedish Armed Forces, marking a critical milestone in the RM12 Enhanced Performance (RM12EP) programme. The delivery is part of a broader initiative to modernize the propulsion systems of Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
According to a company press release, the RM12EP programme is valued at approximately £32 million (SEK 400 million). The initiative focuses on increasing engine thrust, extending operational endurance, and improving overall efficiency to ensure the legacy fighter aircraft remain highly capable in modern operational environments.
The successful handover of the first enhanced engine underscores GKN Aerospace’s nearly century-long partnership with the Swedish Air Force. As the type certificate holder for the RM12 engine, the company continues to play a central role in maintaining Sweden’s aerial defense readiness.
The RM12EP upgrade introduces significant technical improvements to the existing powerplants. In its official statement, GKN Aerospace noted that the enhancements include the installation of improved turbine hardware alongside updated engine control software. These modifications are specifically designed to boost engine thrust and extend the operating time of the engines, while simultaneously reducing life cycle costs for the Swedish Armed Forces.
The RM12EP programme was originally launched in 2019. It represents a long-term strategic effort led by GKN Aerospace to ensure that the Gripen C/D remains a cost-efficient and highly capable platform, even as newer generations of fighter aircraft enter service.
All upgrade work for the RM12 engines is being conducted at GKN Aerospace’s specialized facility in Trollhättan, Sweden. The company maintains comprehensive responsibility for the development, manufacturing, system support, and maintenance of both the RM12 engine, which powers the Gripen C/D, and the newer RM16 engine, which is utilized in the advanced Gripen E/F models.
The delivery of the first upgraded unit was achieved through extensive cross-functional collaboration. GKN Aerospace highlighted that the milestone involved coordination across engineering, production, quality assurance, procurement, and logistics departments. Furthermore, the project relies on key partnerships with industry leaders GE and Saab. Additional upgraded engines are scheduled to be delivered continuously to the Swedish Armed Forces in accordance with the programme’s planned timeline. “This first upgraded engine delivery represents an important step forward in enhancing the performance and endurance of the Gripen system. As type certificate holder for the Gripen C/D engine and with a partnership with the Swedish Air Force that spans nearly a century, we are proud to continue supporting Sweden’s operational capability and future readiness.”
We note that the delivery of the first upgraded RM12 engine highlights a broader trend in global defense procurement: the necessity of extending the operational lifespan of proven legacy platforms. While the Swedish Air Force is actively transitioning to the next-generation Gripen E/F, maintaining a robust and capable fleet of Gripen C/D aircraft remains essential for national security and regional stability.
By investing £32 million into the RM12EP programme, Sweden is ensuring a cost-effective bridge between aircraft generations. The enhancements to thrust and endurance not only improve the tactical capabilities of the Gripen C/D but also optimize maintenance schedules and reduce long-term operational costs. This dual-track approach, upgrading existing assets while procuring new ones, allows the Swedish Armed Forces to maintain a high state of readiness without compromising on technological advancement.
Furthermore, keeping the upgrade work localized at the Trollhättan facility secures domestic aerospace expertise and supply chain resilience. As geopolitical tensions in Europe remain a focal point for defense ministries, the ability to independently maintain and upgrade critical defense infrastructure is a significant strategic advantage for Sweden.
The RM12 Enhanced Performance (RM12EP) programme is an upgrade initiative led by GKN Aerospace for the Swedish Armed Forces. Launched in 2019, it aims to improve the thrust, endurance, and efficiency of the RM12 engines powering the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft.
According to GKN Aerospace, the programme is valued at approximately £32 million, which equates to SEK 400 million.
All development, manufacturing, and maintenance work for the RM12 engine upgrades is carried out at GKN Aerospace’s facility in Trollhättan, Sweden.
The RM12EP programme involves strong collaboration between GKN Aerospace and key industry partners, including GE and Saab.
The RM12EP Upgrade Programme
Technical Enhancements
Production and Partnerships
Strategic Implications for the Swedish Air Force
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RM12EP programme?
How much is the RM12EP programme worth?
Where is the upgrade work being performed?
Who are the key partners in this programme?
Sources
Photo Credit: GKN Aerospace
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