Boeing

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $108 million contract to The Boeing Company for modernization of the B-52H Offensive Avionics System under the Avionics Midlife Improvement, or AMI, program. The five-year contract for engineering and manufacturing development was awarded by the B-52 System Program Directorate at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Through the AMI program, the Boeing Military Aerospace Support business will replace the current avionics processors, data storage and navigation systems. This upgrade also includes re-hosting the avionics and weapons software.

Aerospace Support will design, integrate and flight test the AMI upgrade. Modification of two B-52H aircraft will take place at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

"This upgrade is vital to maintain the combat capability of the B-52 to the year 2040," said Scot Oathout, AMI program manager at Boeing. "This upgrade will also be the cornerstone for future B-52 requirements."

Col. Jim McGinley, Air Force B-52 System Program Director, emphasized its importance saying, "AMI preserves today's combat capability and enables tomorrow's enhancements."

The AMI Program has been developed through a joint Boeing/Air Force team. Integrated product teams led by Boeing and the B-52 System Program Directorate will continue to be used throughout EMD. Other team members include Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Orbital Sciences Corp., Honeywell, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Air Combat Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Sandia Labs, and the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Command.

By focusing its maintenance and modification, logistics support services, and training and support systems competencies in the Military Aerospace Support business, Boeing is the only major airframe manufacturer with an integrated organization structured to provide total life-cycle customer support.

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