The US Air Force's Lockheed Martin C-130X Avionics Modernisation Programme (AMP) competition is in its final phase with the four rival teams preparing best and final submissions.
Competing manufacturers submitted the last of three proposals at the end of August covering pricing, programme management, technical briefing and past performance. Contractor verbal presentations and USAF feedback start shortly.
Best and final offers are to be made by mid-November with a contract award expected by the end of January. Meanwhile, the USAF has separated out the training requirement until after the main upgrade contract award.
BAE Systems is teamed with Honeywell to provide the C-130X's flight management system, while Logicon will undertake a training system requirement analysis (TSRA). BAE subcontractor Snow Aviation will supply the electrical system, for which it holds a US Federal Aviation Administration supplement type certificate.
Honeywell is also offering its Global Air Traffic Management compliant system as part of Raytheon's bid, for which L-3 will do the TSRA. Rockwell Collins has a contract to supply avionics to Lockheed Martin, while Smith Industries is working with Boeing.
The USAF plans to upgrade up to 519 aircraft, starting with C-130H2s and MC-130E/Ps. The winning bid is likely to form the international standard for C-130 upgrades.
Source: Flight International
