The Air Force has awarded a contract worth up to $2 billion to Boeing to serve as the product integrator for work on the service’s fleet of four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft. Boeing has provided logistics support, engineering services, and technical order support for the E-4B, which is a modified Boeing 747, for 25 years, say company officials. Boeing will work with L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, and Greenpoint Technology to bring multiple contracts under a “single contracting vehicle” to reduce cost.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.