Cargo/Transport A/C Series

The LI 0562 - Cargo/Transport Aircraft Series program is a Navy budget line item dedicated to the modification and upgrade of the Navy's fleet of cargo and transport aircraft. The primary goal of this program is to ensure continued operational safety, regulatory compliance, and mission readiness of aircraft such as the C-40A, C-20G, C-37A/B, C-26D, UC-35D, and various UC-12 models. These aircraft serve critical roles in logistics, executive transport, and high-priority passenger/cargo missions for Navy and Marine Corps leadership, as well as fleet combatant commanders. The FY 2026 request focuses on safety and obsolescence upgrades, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) configuration updates, and Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) modifications to support the FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

FAA Configuration Updates Reserve Forces is a key component of the LI 0562 program, with the objective of maintaining aircraft configuration and integrity compatible with FAA-certified commercial models. This includes the incorporation of applicable Service Bulletins and directives, which help prevent extensive repairs and repetitive inspections. Modifications funded under this line item address systems such as brakes, landing gear, flight controls, engine and propeller modifications, airframe and hydraulic systems, electrical and mechanical components, fuel systems, software upgrades, fire detection, interior environmental systems, pressurization, oxygen, pitot-static, and smoke/fire detection systems. The goal is to ensure safe, reliable, FAA/Navy-certified aircraft and extend their service life, with ongoing review and incorporation of service bulletins as required.

Communication, Navigation and Surveillance - Air Traffic Management Reserve Forces supports upgrades necessary for compliance with international and domestic airspace mandates, including those from the International Civil Aviation Organization and FAA NextGen. These modifications are essential for retaining worldwide operational capability, as failure to comply would restrict access to high-volume airspace and degrade mission effectiveness. Specific upgrades include SATCOM enhancements, Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS-B) to DO260B standards, integration of IFF Mode 5, multi-mode receivers, data link recording, Performance Based Navigation (PBN), weather radar improvements, and flight management system upgrades. The program prioritizes and phases these upgrades to align with regional mandates and minimize non-recurring engineering costs by leveraging commercial off-the-shelf solutions.

Safety/Obsolescence Upgrades address deficiencies in Navy-peculiar systems and equipment that are not covered by standard FAA service bulletins. The objective is to correct issues affecting aircraft safety, reliability, and readiness, particularly in navigation, communication, survivability, and cargo/passenger loading systems. Modifications for FY 2026 include the incorporation of dual strakes for the UC-12W to increase maximum takeoff weight, high-frequency radios and increased gross weight for the UC-12F/M, and audio panel replacements for the C-26. These upgrades ensure the preservation of worldwide airlift capabilities and support mission requirements unique to Navy operations.

Reserve Forces Inactive OSIPs represent prior year totals for modifications that are no longer active. While no new funding is requested in FY 2026 for these items, they reflect the historical investment in maintaining and upgrading the cargo/transport aircraft fleet to meet evolving operational and safety standards.

The program's funding in FY 2026 is allocated across these modification categories, with reductions made to advisory and assistance services and civilian personnel costs to promote efficiency and align with executive orders on government cost and workforce optimization. The Navy's approach emphasizes organic installation and support, leveraging internal resources to implement technical directives, engineering changes, training, and data management. This strategy supports both immediate operational needs and long-term fleet sustainability.