The Air Force awarded Harris a $36.3 million contract to upgrade five Counter Communication System Block 10 units to the 10.1 configuration. Under this contract, Harris will also provide spare parts “to meet operational reliability requirements,” according to the Air Force’s write-up of the deal, which is included in the Pentagon’s list of major contracts for Nov. 9. This work is slated for completion by February 2014. CCS is a mobile, ground-based system designed to disrupt an adversary’s satellite communications temporarily. It falls under the Air Force’s counterspace portfolio. The 4th Space Control Squadron at Holloman AFB, N.M., and 76th SPCS at Peterson AFB, Colo., operate the system.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
