BAE Systems will design and test mission computers for 37 C-130 aircraft under a $23 million U.S. Air Force contract. The company will develop, qualify and test the new computers, integrate existing software and manufacture the kits the Air Force uses for final installation.
The new mission computers will replace the current versions on about 20 MC-130H variants and 17 AC-130U variants used by Special Operations Forces. BAE Systems will also conduct ground and flight testing for the computers. BAE Systems has designed, supported and completed more than 200 modifications to C-130 variants since the late 1990s. Earlier this year, BAE Systems won an $8 million contract to develop, test and install more than 85 crashworthy seat systems to enhance the survivability of C-130s.
The new contract for the computers was awarded by the Air Force Materiel Command at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Ga. The work will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities in Warner Robins and San Antonio, Texas, and at various government locations.
“This win further strengthens our position in the market for developing and upgrading aircraft mission computers,” said Gordon Eldridge, vice president and general manager of Aerospace Solutions at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “We continue to expand on our support to the C-130 community.”