Rockwell Collins says it has teamed with Boeing and Honeywell to vie for the Air Force’s KC-10 aircraft modernization program. Last month, Rockwell got a $3.5 million contract to conduct a KC-10 AMP concept refinement study. Contracts for work on concept studies also have gone to Northrop Grumman, ($1.1 million), Smiths Aerospace ($1.3 million), L-3 Communications ($2.1 million), and ARINC Engineering ($1.9 million). Actual award of the AMP contract—designed to outfit the combo airlifter-tanker with enhanced digital avionics—by March 2008.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3