Overview
- Marshall Aerospace says the C-130J will arrive in Cambridge later this year for the center wing box work, with no specific arrival date provided.
- The replacement will use Lockheed Martin’s enhanced service‑life kit, which the company says will extend the aircraft’s useful life by more than 20 years.
- During the visit, the aircraft will also undergo routine depot maintenance that includes a full paint strip and repaint in Blue Angels livery.
- Marshall characterizes the center wing box change as invasive “spinal surgery,” highlighting the complexity and need for certified tools and expertise.
- High‑stress demonstration flying accelerates structural fatigue on Fat Albert’s airframe, and Marshall brings decades of experience with nearly 80 C‑130 wing‑box replacements and a 2024 Center of Excellence designation.