Software hiccups delay $252m Hercules upgrade

The $252 million project to upgrade the air force's Hercules transport aircraft is now running 30 months behind schedule.

Much of the delay has been caused by problems in integrating aircraft computer software, defence ministry officials have told Parliament's foreign affairs and defence select committee.

There were also setbacks when it was found the aircraft needed more repair work than expected and because the Canadian contractor shut its plant earlier this year.

Deputy secretary of defence Des Ashton said that, when the contract was let in 2004, the United States military was expected to start a similar project and software problems would have been worked through on US aircraft first. "We were following the path that was being followed by the largest contractor in the world."

But delays in the US system meant the RNZAF Hercules were having to work through software integration problems first.

The project involves completely stripping and rebuilding the five 1960s vintage C-130 Hercules aircraft, putting in modern avionics and installing new systems to protect the aircraft from missile attack.

It will enable the air force to keep them flying for another 15 years.

Speaking outside yesterday's committee, Mr Ashton said the first two upgraded Hercules had now been flying for some months and the software was still being tested and modified.

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