If AMP is not reworked, parts of the C-130 fleet would be unable to fly domestically without obtaining a series of waivers.
Among the upgrades for compliance are new radios, the addition of a digital flight recorder and an enhanced air traffic alert system. Tthe upgrades could be managed for about $2.5 million a plane.
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There is nothing wrong with AMP. The problem is the cost/kit for AMP has doubled (from $3 Million to over $6 Million), and the USAF does not want to spend the money congress has already given them for installation of kits. The USAF keep dragging their feet wanting to redefine what the upgrade will look like so it will cost less, while congress holds the USAF feet to the fire wanting them to upgrade Legacy C-130H aircraft (mostly in Guard and Reserve Squadrons in their districts) with kits already bought and paid for. The USAF spent about $1.3 Billion with Boeing studying and developing AMP to meet this specific need. In the mean time the Legacy C-130Hs in the Guard/Reserve (about 200) that provide disaster relief and other tasking for states languish without the necessary upgrades, which are mandated to be complete by 2020. Congress has funded C-130 AMP upgrades since the 2013 NDAA and the USAF just sits on the money.
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