Boeing Awarded Contract for E-10A Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft Testbed
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a contract to purchase a 767-400 ER that will be used as a testbed for the new E-10A program, also known as the Multi-sensor Command and Control Aircraft program.
The not-to-exceed value of the contract is $126 million with the final price subject to negotiations.
Boeing Air Force Systems received the sole-source contract through the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Boeing will build the aircraft at its plant in Everett, Wash., with delivery scheduled for December 2005. The 767-400 ER testbed will be modified to the E-10A configuration at Northrop Grumman's facility in Lake Charles, La. The contract period of performance extends to December 2008 with additional testbed support beyond the aircraft delivery.
"Using the 767 platform and following the FAA certification process aligns with the government's intent to leverage the commercial support system to the maximum extent possible," said Jim Dodd. Boeing E-10A program manager. More than 800 767s are in service worldwide.
This contract is the latest major milestone for the Air Force's next-generation airborne ground surveillance and battle management and command and control program. Last May, the Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Raytheon E-10A team was awarded a Weapons System Integration contract for E-10A's Increment 1.
Increment 1, the Air Force's evolutionary acquisition program, is underway with pre-system development and demonstration work. Under the agreement, Northrop Grumman, as prime contractor, is responsible for overall program management and system engineering, airframe modification, system integration and operational flight-testing.
Boeing will perform major structural modification design, air vehicle analysis and performance assessments and airworthiness testing. Boeing also will take the lead in any emerging Increment 2 activities.
Raytheon's primary responsibilities include radar and radome installation, support to system engineering, system integration and test for the cruise missile defense functionality.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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