The US Air Force is expected to award a $1 billion contract in June for long term contractor support for five special operations variants of the Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft.
The draft request for proposals (RFP) for the Integrated Weapon System Support Programme (IWSSP) was issued last year, and the formal RFP is expected to be issued this month. Source selection, originally expected in August, has been moved up to June, say industry officials tracking the lucrative 10 year contract.
At one time, Ball Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Systems were seeking the contract to maintain the USAF's MC-130H, MC-130E, AC-130H, AC-130U and MC-130P.
Northrop Grumman, which is to be acquired by Lockheed Martin, has teamed with its future parent, and Ball Aerospace is now partnered with Boeing.
The initial contract covers support of all five C-130 variants for up to a decade. At the end of the 10 year period, only the MC130H and AC-130U will remain in service. Continued MC-130H and AC-130U work will be provided through contract options.
Source: Flight International
