Boeing is to build an iron bird testbed for the Airborne Laser (ABL), to be located at Edwards AFB, California, under a $500 million US Air Force contract. Under a separate $200 million contract, the company will develop technologies for the Block 2008 ABL and future blocks, beginning with a feasibility study of advanced materials to reduce laser system weight. BAE Systems is to develop the modernised flight-control computer and spoiler control electronic flap computer for the C-17 under a $34.7 million Boeing contract. C-17s will be delivered with the upgraded flight controls from 2005. Lockheed Martin is to implement the M4/M4+ operational flight program in upgraded Belgian, Danish, Netherlands, Norwegian and US Air Force F-16s under a $125 million contract. Boeing is to integrate the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System on the F/A-18D and F/A-18F under a $4.4 million US Navy contract. Boeing/Lockheed Martin joint venture Hellfire Systems will produce 867 AGM-114M Hellfire II anti-armour missiles under a $33.4 million US Army contract. A Northrop Grumman-led team has been selected for the US Air Force's Roll-On Beyond-line-of-sight Extension (ROBE) global tactical combat communications system programme. ROBE will be installed in aircraft including KC-135s to extend the Link 16 network range. Raytheon is to produce 30 APQ-178B multimode radars and 48 colour weather mode upgrade kits for radars on Boeing MH-47s, Sikorsky MH-60s and Bell Boeing CV-22s under a $30.3 million US Special Operations Command contract. Innovative Concepts is to develop the next generation of software for the US Army's improved data modem under a $6.8 million contract. Enhancements include support for the EPLRS network, HF radio and satellite communications. Rolls-Royce is to produce more than 240 AE2100D engines for US Air Force and Marine Corps Lockheed Martin C-130Js under a six-year contract worth more than $300 million.
Source: Flight International
