![]() ![]() Performed by Boeing, Raytheon Technical Services, and BAE Systems Platform Solutions, the contract aimed at upgrading the aircraft’s avionics architecture to improve memory and data capability.īoeing received a $999m contract from the USAF for delivering sustainment work on the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, in August 2019. The second contract included trade study analysis and operational assessment/proof of concept for the upgraded data transfer unit (UDTU). Executed by Boeing and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), it focused on updating and aligning modern structural analysis tools, processes and standards for the A-10 fleet. The first contract included the A-10 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP), which involved the provision of engineering services for the aircraft. The contract was awarded as part of the total $1.6bn A-10 Thunderbolt life-cycle programme support (TLPS) contract. ![]() In September 2009, the USAF awarded two contracts worth $4.2m to Boeing for modernising its fleet of 365 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft for a period of three to 18 months. The new wings have enhanced durability and efficiency. The installation of the new wings for the last of the 173 aircraft was completed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah in August 2019. The USAF exercised an option for 56 replacement wings in September 2013 to increase the total number of aircraft under the programme to 173. The A-10A achieved its initial operating capability (IOC) in 1977 while the A-10C achieved IOC in 2007.īoeing was awarded a $2bn contract for the A-10 wing replacement programme in June 2007. Northrop Grumman has been performing support and structural upgrade programmes from the Integrated Systems and Aerostructures Divisions at Bethpage, New York and St Augustine, Florida. The aircraft was originally manufactured by Fairchild Republic, now part of Northrop Grumman, which has been the prime contractor for the A-10 since 1987. The production of the A-10 came to an end in 1984. The first flight of the A-10 was in May 1972, and a total of 713 aircraft were produced. The USAF is of the view that the ageing aircraft is difficult to maintain and intends to use the funds allocated for its maintenance and upkeep to rather procure modern aircraft. The move came after Congress stalled multiple attempts by the USAF to retire the A-10 in recent years. The US Congress approved the USAF’s request to undertake a planned divestment of the A-10 aircraft in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in December 2022. The aircraft variants currently in service in the USAF are A-10, and A-10C Reserve A-10 and OA-10 ANG, A-10, and OA-10. The aircraft’s mission is ground attacks against tanks, armoured vehicles and installations, along with close air support of ground forces.Ī total of 281 A-10 aircraft are in service with the USAF, Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard (ANG).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |