LOCKHEED MARTIN has dropped its protest about the US Air Force's selection of a McDonnell Douglas (MDC)/Israel Aircraft Industries team to upgrade the avionics on its Northrop Grumman T-38 Talon trainers.

The protest, filed with the US General Accounting Office, focused on the USAF's interpretation of its "best-value" selection criteria. Also competing for the contract were Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Rockwell International and Tracor.

MDC received $46 million for the first phase, involving the upgrade of two prototypes.

Source: Flight International