Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Bombardier on June 16 unveiled a partnering agreement to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JStars) recapitalization program. Their announcement followed a declaration earlier this week by Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream and L-3 that they too will compete to replace the USAF’s 16 Boeing 707-based E-8Cs. Boeing said last year that it will offer a variant of its 737-700 for the requirement.
The USAF seeks 16 modernized aircraft with an onboard battle management command and control suite, advanced communications and an updated ground surveillance radar. “The Air Force is paying special attention to any option that offers an open system architecture approach to hardware and software, will increase automation within the BMC2 [battle management command and control] component and options that ultimately lower the cost of the product over the program's lifecycle,” the service has stated.
The JStars program office issued a set of draft requirements to potential contractors in October last year. It expects the program’s engineering, manufacturing and development phase will begin in 2017. Initial operational capability is planned in 2022 and full capability in 2025.
Lockheed Martin will serve as lead systems integrator for the team that includes Raytheon and Bombardier. Their proposal will be based on Bombardier’s ultra-long-range Global business jet, with Raytheon supplying the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance component.
“Our track record of performance in systems integration and leadership in open mission systems, combined with our teammates’ relevant products and in-depth experience, give us confidence that we can provide the Air Force the best possible solution,” declared Rob Weiss, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works executive vice president and general manager.
Northrop Grumman, the current E-8C airborne battle management contractor, will offer a system based on Gulfstream’s G550. “We meet, or exceed, the Air Force’s acquisition requirements by integrating our team’s independently developed, mature and proven systems at the lowest cost, with the lowest risk to provide an innovative acquisition solution,” stated Tom Vice, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems corporate vice president.