A Field Aerospace-led industry team has secured a potential seven-year, $155.7 million contract to modernize avionics of the U.S. Air Force‘s 178 T-1A Jayhawk trainer aircraft and 30 training systems.
Field Aerospace said Wednesday it will work with Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL), FlightSafety International and Nextant Aerospace to implement a turnkey avionics modification effort that covers development, certification, equipment, installation and training services.
The consortium will install a new flight deck for the service branch’s trainer fleet and develop 16 operational flight and 14 part task trainers to complement the updated avionics system, Rockwell Collins said Wednesday.
Prototype T-1A flight deck and trainers are slated for delivery in 2019.
The trainers will be updated to comply with the the Federal Aviation Administration‘s Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast Out mandate.
Rockwell Collins will provide its Pro Line 21 avionics suite and B-kit line replaceable units; support software and A-kit development; assist in simulator modernization and certification.
Nextant Aerospace will provide A-kits, support the design integration and manage supplemental type certificate application with the FAA, while FlightSafety will help update simulators and training devices at four Air Force bases and one Naval station.
Aircraft installation work will take place at Field Aerospace’s Oklahoma facility through 2025.
The Air Force received eight offers for the small business set-aside contract through a competitive acquisition process.
