Training Hercules: The USA’s JMATS Contracts
Sep 27, 2012 12:04 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff
SOCOM HC/MC-130J
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One of the most important components of Lockheed Martin’s C-130J medium transport planes never leaves the ground. The best equipment is useless if people aren’t trained to operate and maintain it, which is why the MATS (Maintenance and Aircrew Training System) set of trainers and simulators are so essential. When the Pentagon assesses “operational suitability” for an aircraft, a strong training structure is one of the things they look for.
MATS complements the existing ATS system for previous-generation C-130s, and provides a comprehensive range of training devices and training support services to aircrews. The USA’s JMATS contracts include aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics support and engineering services:
C-130J MATS
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C-130J MATS features classroom learning, as well as advanced simulation technology including an electronic motion platform, improved simulator displays, and distributed mission operations networking that allows aircrews to train with remote and virtual participants. The training extends to all aspects of the plane’s operation, including loadmaster fuselage trainers, loadmaster part-task trainers, and enhanced cargo handling system training aids.
The C-130J schoolhouse at Little Rock AFB, AR, is the USAF’s Formal Training Unit (FTU) for C-130J aircrew and maintenance personnel. Graduates of the FTU are mission-qualified, and can report immediately to operational units in the Air Mobility Command (AMC), Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC), and Air Nation Guard (ANG). C-130J MATS is supported by the Main Operating Base (MOB) at Keesler AFB, MS, where C-130J continuation and refresher training is provided for all US military C-130J aircrews.
A full Training Systems Support Center (TSSC) provides operations and maintenance (O&M), revision and maintenance (R&M) engineering tasks, a security program, a student publications library and learning center operation training.
The C-130J MATS program also provides full training systems for US Special Forces HC/MC-130Js, and the US Marines’ KC-130J cargo & aerial refueling planes, including one year of interim Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for each delivered trainer.
C-130J training support for international customers is handled outside of the JMATS framework, which is USA-only.
Lockheed Martin Simulator, Training and Support in Orlando, FL is the lead contractor for MATS/JMATS contracts, but there’s also an industrial team behind them. Major sub-contractors include:
- CAE USA in Tampa, FL worked with Lockheed Martin to design the MATS simulators etc., and then CAE, Inc. in Montreal, Canada performs the initial assembly.
- FlightSafety International provides their Vital X visual systems.
- QinetiQ produces the training debrief systems.
- Rockwell Collins provides some visual components and simulated parts.
All devices are shipped to the USA, and Lockheed Martin integrates and tests the training devices before delivering them to the U.S. government. Some are integrated at the firm’s Global Training and Logistics division in Orlando, FL, while others may be integrated at the air base they’re being delivered to.
Contracts & Key Events, 2000 – Present
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JMATS has been running for some time. The original contract was F33657-00-C-0044, awarded in May 2000. It was followed by the (still active) May 2006 JMATS contract FA8621-06-C-6300 for annual services, and then the August 2011 FA8621-11-C-6288 JMATS-II contract for additional hardware. Unless otherwise noted, the ASC/Simulators Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and its predecessors manages the contract. Lockheed Martin Simulator, Training and Support in Orlando, FL is the lead contractor; it’s now “Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics,” after a 2010 re-organization.
FY 2012
Sept 21/12: JMATS-II. A $7.9 million contract modification covering the C-130J schoolhouse at Little Rock Air Force Base, AR. The contract will run to the end of FY 2013 – Sept 30/13, and is part of JMATS-II (FA8621-11-C-6288, PO 0012).
April 30/12: JMATS-II. A $156.6 million firm-fixed-price JMATS II contract modification, to deliver 3 enhanced integrated cockpit systems trainers, 4 overall weapons systems trainers, 1 loadmaster fuselage trainer, 5 loadmaster part-task trainers, and 8 enhanced cargo handling systems. USAF Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command and Special Operations Command will use the devices for C-130J initial qualification and refresher training.
Work will be performed in Tampa, FL; Cote de Liesse, Montreal, Canada; and elsewhere in the province of Quebec, Canada. The contract runs until March 31/16, and the trainers will be delivered to Cannon Air Force Base, NM; Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ; Dyess AFB, TX; Hurlburt Field, FL; Kirtland AFB, NM; Little Rock AFB, AR; Moody AFB, GA; and Ramstein Air Base, Germany (FA8621-11-C-6288, PO 0007). See also Lockheed Martin.
FY 2007 – 2011
Sept 22/11: JMATS. A $28.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for FY 2012 operations and maintenance for Air Mobility Command. The work will be performed at Little Rock Air Force Base, AR, and as the contract numbering indicates, it’s a JMATS contract rather than the more recent JMATS-II (FA8621-06-C-6300).
Aug 8/11: JMATS-II begins. An $84.3 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide 4 full trainers for aircrews, and provide program management and engineering services to USAF Air Mobility Command, USAF Air Combat Command, and USAF Special Operations Command.
The 2006 JMATS contract is still running, but this begins the JMATS-II framework. The ASC/WNSK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH manages the contract (FA8621-11-C-6288). See also Lockheed Martin
JMATS-II begins
June 10/11: JMATS. A $7.9 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for the C-130J MATS Block 7.0 upgrade. Block 7.0 is the latest modification set for the C-130J, and the simulators need to keep up. Work will be performed in Tampa, FL (FA8621-06-C-6300, PO 0067).
Nov 30/10: JMATS for SOCOM. A $23.3 million contract for the HC/MC-130J weapon systems trainer full simulator, which will be slightly different than the standard JMATS trainers because it must add Special Forces equipment to the sim. At this time, $2,044,798 has been obligated (FA8621-06-C-6300).
Dec 22/09: JMATS. A $14.5 million contract to provide FY 2010 MATS operations and maintenance. At this time, $3,483,740 has been obligated (FA8621-06-C-6300, PO 0046).
Sept 30/09: JMATS. A $9.9 million contract for FY 2010 C-130J maintenance and training. At this time, no money has been obligated; it will be committed as needed (FA8621-06-C-6300).
Sept 29/08: JMATS. A firm-fixed-price contract for $20.7 million for FY 2009 C-130J Training. (FA8621-06-C-6300, PO 0026).
June 28/07: JMATS begins. A $17.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for FY 2007 C-130J training, MATS contractor logistic support, and change management. At this time, $17.25 million has been committed. This work will be complete September 2007 (FA8621-06-C-6300).
This is the beginning of the JMATS 2006 extension. An identical contract was posted Nov 3/06.
JMATS begins
FY 2000 – 2006
March 29/05: A $6.2 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for “C-130J Training-Second Half FY05 Contractor Logistics Support, Air Crew Training and Training System Support Center.”
Work will be performed at Little Rock AFB in Pulaski County, AR. All funds have been obligated, and work will be complete by September 2006. (F33657-00-C-0044, PO 0040).
Jan 10/05: KC-130J. A $24.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to buy up to 3 United States Marine Corps KC-130J full “Weapon System Trainers”. The USMC’s KC-130Js can act as transports, and can also perform aerial refueling of helicopters of jets.
At this point, the USMC has 33 KC-130s on order, of which 15 have been delivered. Design, manufacture and integration of the WST has been subcontracted to CAE USA of Tampa, FL, and all funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by March 2007 (F33657-00-C-0044, PO 0034). See also Lockheed Martin.
Sept 24/04: A $6.8 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for C-130J training first half FY05 contractor logistics support, air crew training, training system support center and FY05 change management. Work will be performed at Little Rock AFB in Pulaski County, AR, and Kessler AFB in Harrison County, MS. No funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by September 2005. (F33657-00-C-0044, PO 0029).
Sept 29/03: A $52 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for 1 C-130J training devices-fuselage trainer, 1 weapon system trainer, 1 flight control trainer and 1 engine and propeller trainer.
Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA, will perform this effort at Lockheed Martin Information Systems in Orlando, FL and at CAE USA Inc. in Tampa, FL. All funds have been obligated (F33657-00-C-0044, PO 0017).
Dec 19/02: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, GA receives a $32.1 million firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for C-130J training devices, including 1 integrated cockpit system trainer, 1 cockpit procedures trainer, site activation of Little Rock AFB, AR, and FY 2003 change management.
Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, GA and CAE USA Inc. in Tampa, FL. All funds have been obligated, and work will be complete by July 2005 (F33657-00-C-0044, PO 0009).
May 23/2000: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, GA receives a $37.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide for 1 weapon system trainer applicable to the C-130J aircraft, plus associated data, training systems requirement analysis, spares, courseware, distributed mission training, and change management.
The solicitation was issued Nov 1/99, negotiations were complete on May 19/2000, and the expected contract completion date is April 30/03 (F33657-00-C-0044). In reality, this contract framework ends up lasting until 2006.
C-130J MATS contracts begin
Additional Readings
- Lockheed Martin – C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System
- DID – The C-130J: New Hercules & Old Bottlenecks. Covers all variants.
