CN-AOI Upgrades: Moroccan C-130 Modernization
A Royal Moroccan Air Force Lockheed C 130H Hercules, tail number CN AOI, touched down in Waco, Texas to begin a major cockpit overhaul and airframe life extension with L3Harris Technologies.
- The Ferry Journey: Flew out from Kenitra Air Base in Morocco, stopping in the Azores and Delaware before reaching Texas.
- Glass Cockpit Upgrade: Replaces aging dials and analog gauges with digital multifunction flight displays and modern flight management computers.
- Two More Decades: Overhauls the Allison turboprop engines and structural components to keep the airframe flying for another twenty years.
The Transatlantic Ferry Flight
Airframe CN AOI made the long crossing from the 3rd Air Base in Kenitra, Morocco. The crew routed through Lajes Field in the Portuguese Azores, made a refueling stop at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, and completed the final leg into Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco. That facility is the central hub where L3Harris carries out military Hercules upgrades.
What the Modernization Package Includes
Under a contract finalized in July 2025, Moroccan C 130H transports are getting a thorough technology refresh. The original cockpit layout was packed with analog steam gauges and old navigation equipment that required heavy crew workload and had become difficult to source spare parts for.
The upgrade replaces those dials with modern color flat panel screens, digital terrain awareness systems, modern weather radar, and encrypted tactical communications. The Allison T56 turboprop engines and propeller assemblies are also being overhauled to improve reliability and reduce fuel burn on long logistical flights.
Why Upgrades Make Sense
The Hercules has been the backbone of Moroccan military logistics and humanitarian missions for decades. Buying brand new transport planes like the C 130J is expensive, so stripping down proven airframes and installing modern avionics gives air forces nearly all the capabilities of a modern transport at a fraction of the cost.
For more details on the program, check the official coverage in the L3Harris Press Room.