This article is based on official press releases and public reporting from Marshall and Lockheed Martin.

Marshall Cements Status as Global Authority on C-130 Hercules MRO

As of January 2026, Marshall (formerly Marshall Aerospace) has solidified its position as the world’s leading independent authority on the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. With a partnership spanning more than half a century and a recent designation as the only global Center of Excellence for critical structural modifications, the company has become a linchpin in the logistics network of 17 government fleet operators worldwide.

Recent developments from 2024 through late 2025 have seen the company expand its footprint significantly, particularly in North America and the Middle East. By securing major contracts with the Turkish Ministry of National Defence and operationalizing a new facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, Marshall has demonstrated its capacity to support both legacy and Super Hercules fleets with unrivaled technical expertise.

Unrivaled Industry Standing

Marshall’s relationship with the C-130 platform dates back to 1966, shortly after the Royal Air Force (RAF) took delivery of its first aircraft. Over the decades, the company has accrued a unique set of accreditations from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Lockheed Martin.

According to company data, Marshall holds the distinction of being the first authorized Hercules Service Center (HSC) for legacy models and the first Heavy Maintenance Center (HMC) for the modern C-130J Super Hercules. In a landmark achievement in November 2024, Lockheed Martin officially recognized Marshall as the world’s first authorized Center of Excellence for Center Wing Box (CWB) replacements.

“Recognising Marshall as the first Lockheed Martin-approved Centre of Excellence for its work leading the C-130 centre wing box replacement programme is a natural choice… Marshall is a vital part of the C-130 Hercules community.”

, Rod McLean, VP at Lockheed Martin (2024)

Technical Capabilities: “Aerospace Surgery”

Marshall’s capabilities extend well beyond standard maintenance, encompassing complex structural modifications often described as “aerospace surgery.” The most notable of these is the Center Wing Box (CWB) replacement, a procedure likened to spinal surgery for the aircraft.

Center Wing Box Replacements

The CWB is the primary structure connecting the wings to the fuselage. Replacing it is one of the most complex engineering tasks associated with the C-130. Marshall is currently the only organization globally, outside of Lockheed Martin’s own U.S. facilities, authorized to perform these replacements on the C-130J.

Data indicates that as of late 2025, Marshall had completed nearly 80 CWB replacements across both legacy and J-model aircraft. This capability was highlighted when “Fat Albert,” the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ iconic C-130J, returned to Marshall in late 2025 for this specific structural life-extension procedure.

Avionics and Manufacturing

In addition to structural work, Marshall has advanced its avionics modernization programs. Recent projects include bespoke navigation upgrades for the Austrian Air Force, completed in late 2024, and similar integrations for the French Air Force. These upgrades typically involve replacing analog systems with modern Flight Management Systems (FMS) and GPS landing capabilities.

Furthermore, the company holds a unique “authority to manufacture” from Lockheed Martin. To mitigate global supply chain delays, Marshall manufactured over 2,000 parts in 2024 alone, ensuring that maintenance schedules remained on track.

Strategic Expansion (2024–2026)

The last two years have marked a period of aggressive geographic expansion and contract acquisition for Marshall.

North American Growth

In 2025, the company fully operationalized its new maintenance facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. This site was established primarily to service the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) fleet of KC-130J tankers under a 10-year contract originally awarded in 2020. As of July 2025, reports show that Marshall had worked on 42 different USMC aircraft and manufactured over 1,500 parts specifically for that fleet.

New International Contracts

Marshall has also strengthened its presence in Europe and Asia:

• Turkey: In October 2025, the company secured a multi-year contract with the Turkish Ministry of National Defence to support its newly acquired C-130J fleet, covering entry-into-service and sustainment.
• India: Marshall was awarded a contract to perform 12-year heavy maintenance inspections for the Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules fleet.

AirPro News Analysis

The consolidation of C-130 MRO capabilities under Marshall highlights a critical trend in defense logistics: the reliance on specialized independent contractors to extend the life of aging airframes. With the C-130 remaining the “world’s workhorse,” the ability to perform heavy structural modifications like CWB replacements outside of the OEM’s primary facilities is essential for maintaining global fleet readiness. Marshall’s “authority to manufacture” also suggests that decentralized supply chains are becoming a priority for defense contractors seeking to insulate themselves from global logistics disruptions.

Operational Statistics

Marshall’s operational volume reflects its central role in the global defense sector. In 2024, the company completed nearly 30,000 MRO tasks, totaling over 442,000 hours of aircraft work. Through its various life-extension programs, Marshall estimates it has added over 1,600 collective years to the lifespan of the global C-130 fleet.

“Our unique approvals allow us to de-risk maintenance and ensure predictable turnaround times for military operators.”

, Gareth Williams, COO at Marshall

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Center Wing Box (CWB) replacement?
The CWB is the structural core connecting the wings to the fuselage. Replacing it is a major structural repair that significantly extends the operational life of the aircraft. Marshall is the only independent facility authorized to perform this on the C-130J.

Which air forces does Marshall support?
Marshall supports 17 government fleet operators, including the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy (Blue Angels), UK Royal Air Force (historically), and air forces from Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, India, Turkey, and Bangladesh.

Where are Marshall’s facilities located?
Marshall is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and recently operationalized a major facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, to support North American customers.

Sources: Marshall Group

GE Aerospace Secures $1.4 Billion Navy Contracts for CH-53K Engines

The U.S. Navy has awarded GE Aerospace a significant contract modification valued at approximately $1.42 billion to produce engines for the Marine Corps’ CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift Helicopters fleet. As reported by ClearanceJobs, this award solidifies the production pipeline for the T408 turboshaft engine, a critical component of the military’s most powerful helicopter program.

The deal, announced by the Department of Defense on January 8, 2026, represents a major commitment to the long-term stability of the CH-53K program. It covers the production of 277 T408-GE-400 engines, ensuring that the Marine Corps has the Propulsion systems necessary as the aircraft prepares for its first operational deployment later this year.

According to official contract data released by the Pentagon, the work will be performed exclusively at GE Aerospace’s facility in Lynn, Massachusetts, with completion expected by September 2032. This multi-year agreement underscores the strategic importance of the King Stallion in future expeditionary operations.

Contract Breakdown and Scope

This modification (P00003) attaches to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N0001924C0019). It definitizes production for Lots 9 and 10 while adding scope for Lots 11, 12, and 13. In defense procurement, securing five consecutive production lots signals a move toward “Full-Rate Production,” moving the program past its initial low-rate Manufacturing phases.

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is the contracting activity. Funding for the award is substantial, with immediate obligations including:

• $219.6 million from Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds.
• $277.8 million from Fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement funds.

With the CH-53K requiring three engines per airframe, the order of 277 engines supports the production of roughly 90 helicopters, accounting for necessary spares. This covers a significant portion of the Marine Corps’ total program of record, which aims for 200 aircraft to replace the aging CH-53E Super Stallion.

Powering the King Stallion: The T408 Engine

The T408-GE-400 engine represents a generational leap in rotorcraft propulsion technology. Designed specifically for the heavy-lift mission profile of the CH-53K, the engine offers dramatic improvements over the legacy T64 engine used in the Super Stallion.

According to GE Aerospace technical specifications, the T408 delivers 7,500 shaft horsepower per engine. This results in 57% more power than its predecessor. Furthermore, the engine is designed for the harsh marine environments where the Marine Corps operates, utilizing corrosion-resistant materials to withstand saltwater and sand.

“The T408 offers 18% better specific fuel consumption… and is constructed with 63% fewer parts.”

, GE Aerospace Program Data

These efficiency gains allow the CH-53K to carry an external load of 36,000 pounds, triple the capacity of the CH-53E in high-altitude and hot-temperature conditions, while extending the aircraft’s mission radius.

AirPro News Analysis

This contract award arrives at a pivotal moment for both the U.S. Marine Corps and GE Aerospace. For the Marine Corps, the timing is critical. With the first fleet deployment of the CH-53K delayed to 2026, securing a stable engine supply chain through 2032 mitigates the risk of future logistical bottlenecks. The “block buy” nature of Lots 9 through 13 suggests the Navy is confident in the platform’s maturity and is locking in pricing and production slots before inflation or supply chain constraints can impact costs further.

For GE Aerospace, this $1.4 billion award reinforces its standing as a standalone defense prime following its 2024 spin-off from General Electric. The company has invested nearly $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing sites, including the Lynn, Massachusetts facility. This contract guarantees a decade of workload for the Lynn workforce, a historic hub for jet engine manufacturing, and validates the company’s Strategy of balancing commercial engine demand with steady defense sustainment contracts.

Program Timeline and Future Operations

The CH-53K King Stallion achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in April 2022 and was approved for Full-Rate Production in December 2022. While the program has faced schedule adjustments, including the shift of its first deployment to 2026, the aircraft is on track to reach Full Operational Capability (FOC) by 2029.

As reported by ClearanceJobs, the contract modification ensures that as the airframes roll off the assembly line, the propulsion systems will be ready to meet them. The T408 engines are integral to the Marine Corps’ “Force Design 2030” strategy, which emphasizes dispersed operations and heavy logistics support in contested maritime environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the contract?
The contract modification is valued at $1,421,446,110.

Where will the engines be built?
All work will be performed at GE Aerospace’s facility in Lynn, Massachusetts.

When is the work expected to be finished?
The contract specifies a completion date of September 2032.

How many engines are included?
The deal covers the production of 277 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines.

Sources: ClearanceJobs, Department of Defense, GE Aerospace

Destinus Acquires Daedalean in $225M Deal to Fortify European Autonomous Aviation

European aerospace company Destinus has officially completed its acquisitions of Daedalean, a Swiss leader in AI-based avionics, in a transaction valued at approximately $225 million (CHF 180 million). The deal, finalized on January 5, 2026, marks a significant consolidation in the European defense and aviation sectors, merging Destinus’s hypersonic and long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hardware with Daedalean’s “certifiable AI” software.

According to the company’s announcement, this acquisition is designed to accelerate the development of fully autonomous systems capable of operating in GPS-denied environments, a critical capability for modern defense strategy. By integrating Daedalean’s visual positioning technology directly into Destinus’s airframes, the combined entity aims to create a vertically integrated European champion capable of competing with major U.S. defense-tech firms.

Acquisition Details and Structure

The cash-and-stock transaction was first announced in August 2025 and closed formally on January 5, 2026. Under the new structure, Daedalean will operate as a core hub for AI engineering and autonomy research within the Destinus group. However, it will retain its distinct brand identity for existing and future partnerships within the civil aviation sector.

Key personnel changes accompany the merger to ensure smooth integration. Bas Gouverneur, formerly the CEO of Daedalean, has been appointed as the Chief Military Program Officer at Destinus. In this role, he will oversee the integration of AI capabilities into defense platforms. Additionally, Yvonne Gross moves from her role as VP of Finance at Daedalean to become the Director of Operations and Infrastructure at Destinus, while Brontë Hamilton steps in as the new CFO for the expanded group.

Strategic Rationale: The Push for GPS Independence

The primary driver behind this acquisition is the urgent need for robust navigation systems in contested environments. Modern electronic warfare often involves the jamming or spoofing of GPS signals, rendering traditional navigation systems unreliable.

Daedalean’s Visual Positioning System (VPS) addresses this vulnerability by using onboard cameras to map terrain in real-time. This data is compared against a stored database, allowing aircraft to determine their location without relying on satellite signals. According to the press release, this technology will be integrated into Destinus’s portfolio of drones, including the Hornet, Lord, and Ruta models.

“This strategic move combines Destinus’s hardware capabilities… with Daedalean’s industry-leading ‘certifiable AI’ software.”

— Destinus Press Release

Civil Aviation and Certification

Beyond defense, the acquisition strengthens Destinus’s position in the civil aviation market. Daedalean is currently the only company with a “W-shaped” development process, an evolution of the standard V-model, that has been accepted by regulators for certifying neural networks. The company is actively pursuing certification with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA for its PilotEye technology, which serves as a “never-tiring second pilot” to visually detect air traffic.

Market Context and Competition

This deal represents a broader industry trend toward vertical integration, where hardware manufacturers acquire software specialists to control the entire “autonomy stack.” By bringing avionics in-house, Destinus reduces its reliance on external suppliers and tightens the feedback loop between airframe design and flight control software.

Industry observers note that this move positions Destinus to compete more effectively with U.S. counterparts. Companies like Shield AI and Anduril Industries have successfully deployed similar vertically integrated models in the United States. Shield AI, for example, combines its Hivemind pilot software with its V-BAT drones. With this acquisition, Destinus is effectively signaling its intent to become the European equivalent of these defense-tech primes.

AirPro News Analysis

The Rise of “Sovereign” Autonomy

At AirPro News, we view this acquisition as a pivotal moment for European technological sovereignty. For years, European defense initiatives have struggled to match the pace of U.S. innovation in autonomous systems. By acquiring Daedalean, Destinus is not just buying software; it is acquiring a regulatory roadmap. Daedalean’s work with EASA on the “Concepts of Design Assurance for Neural Networks” (CoDANN) report suggests that Destinus may now hold the keys to the first certified AI pilots in European airspace.

However, the challenge will be cultural integration. Merging a hardware company focused on high-speed, hydrogen-powered concepts with a software firm deeply entrenched in rigorous safety certification processes is risky. The success of this deal will depend on whether Destinus can deploy Daedalean’s technology rapidly into its defense products without compromising the safety culture that makes Daedalean valuable to civil regulators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of the Destinus-Daedalean deal?

The acquisition was completed for approximately $225 million (CHF 180 million) in a mix of cash and stock.

What happens to the Daedalean brand?

Daedalean will retain its brand identity for its work in civil aviation but will function as the AI engineering hub for the Destinus group.

Why is “GPS-denied” navigation important?

In military conflicts, GPS signals are frequently jammed. Daedalean’s technology allows aircraft to navigate using cameras and terrain mapping, ensuring they can operate even when satellite signals are blocked.

Sources

• Destinus Press Release
• Aerospace Testing International
• Vertical Magazine