Boeing has won a $5.5 million development and production contract to develop and deliver retrofit kits to upgrade AGM-86C conventional air-launched cruise missiles (CALCMs) to Block 1A standard.
Block 1A includes an eight-channel global positioning system receiver with navigation and guidance enhancements and an adaptive, anti-jam, antenna array designed to provide precision strike capability to the CALCM. The weapon is a modified version of surplus air-launched cruise missiles, developed by Boeing and which was initially used in the 1980s Desert Storm and Desert Strike operations.
Boeing's contract covers the design and production of 28 retrofit kits for delivery to the USAF in 2000, although the company hopes to win a follow-up contract for more than 100 further retrofit kits in 1999.
The update will also apply to the Block 2 upgrade of the AGM-86C, which will involve the fitting of a penetrating warhead.
The UK-developed Broach is being evaluated for Block 2 in competition with Lockheed Martin's kinetic-energy Advanced Unitary Penetrator. A decision is expected in early 1999.
Source: Flight International
