Boeing Receives AC-130U Gunship Support Contract

AC-130U gunship. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

02 September 2010, FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide spare servo-actuators for the AC-130U gunship. The five-year contract, which includes a base year plus four out-year ordering periods, is worth up to $7.2 million. A total of $1.2 million of the first phase has been obligated.

Between now and July 2011, Boeing will provide 10 servo-actuators for the Trainable Gun Mount Systems needed to install 40-millimeter guns on four AC-130Us. The contract was issued by Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga., to Boeing’s Special Operations Forces subdivision. The work will be performed by Boeing teams in Fort Walton Beach.

"These servo-actuators are a critical part of the Air Force's ability to maintain readiness for the AC-130U gunship, which is a vital platform supporting missions around the world," said Ken Hill, director, Boeing Special Operations Forces. "Tight turnaround times are required to repair these aircraft and get them back in the fight. We are fully committed to meeting our customer's expectations."

Boeing has manufactured the AC-130U from existing C-130 airframes since 1987. In 2009, the company received its first contract award under the Air Force’s Future Flexible Acquisition and Sustainment Tool (F2AST) program. The initial $19.1 million F2AST contract was for the sustainment and maintenance of operational flight and simulation software, field service representative support, intermediate-level repairs and other services.

Boeing's work on the C-130 platform extends to the Avionics Modernization Program; the Avionics Part Task Trainer and Cockpit Familiarization Trainer; the C-130H aerial refueling tanker for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force; and the Precision Container Aerial Delivery System (PCADS) program, designed to help combat wildfires.

Boeing's Fort Walton Beach site employs approximately 500 people who primarily support the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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