Raytheon has received a $44.3 million US Air Force contract to upgrade over 1,200 GBU-15 glide bombs with global positioning system guidance. Boeing Wichita has won a $109 million US Air Force contract for the B-52 Avionics Midlife Improvement programme. The inertial navigation system will be replaced by the laser-gyro SNU-84. Avionics computers and the data transfer system will be updated. The French air force has exercised an option to buy BVR Systems' EHUD rangeless air-combat training equipment. The $1.4 million deal has been expedited by Latécoère. Boeing has won a $149million contract to provide 676 maintenance personnel to support Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C/D/Ss. Raytheon and the UK Ministry of Defence have signed an £800 million ($1.3 billion) contract for five airborne stand-off radar systems and eight ground stations. US Army Aviation and Missile Command has awarded Rolls-Royce a $9 million contract for 28 Allison 250-C30R/3 turboshafts and support for its Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warriors. Boeing has received a $13 million US Navy contract to modify the surviving X-31 experimental aircraft for the vectoring extremely short take-off and landing control and tailless operations research (VECTOR) programme. The Israeli air force has selected Raytheon Beech Super King Air B200s to replace its Douglas DC-3s in the electronic warfare role. Boeing has received a $19 million contract from the US Navy for 34 more MA-31 air targets. The MA-31s will be used to simulate sea-skimming missile threats to warships. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Rolls-Royce a contract potentially worth £350 million ($560 million) to update Pegasus engines of the Royal Air Force's British Aerospace Harrier GR7s. An initial £120 million order covers the upgrade of 40 engines to Mk107 standard, with an option to upgrade another 86 powerplants.
Source: Flight International
