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RC-7B “Crazy Hawk”

The US military has planes like F-22A stealth fighters that make a lot of news. It also has planes that make very little news, even though they play key roles in a number of conflicts around the world. One example is the RC-7B/EO-5B “Crazy Hawk”/ Airborne Reconnaissance Low aircraft, who use their short-field takeoff capabilities and array of imaging, signals collection, and radar sensors to monitor developments on the ground. The RC-7B made the news briefly in 1999 when one went down in Colombia, and again when the US military had to cancel the $8 billion ACS (Aerial Common Sensor) replacement program in 2006 and start over in 2008. Meanwhile, the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq is well suited to planes like the Dash-7 derived RC-7Bs.

ACS’ cancellation, delay, and restructuring have left the Navy pursuing its own independent program. The US Army’s RC-12N Guardrail electronic intelligence aircraft are being refurbished to keep them current and in service until the ACS arrives. And the RC-7B fleet continues to receive additional help, via a parallel program called MARSS…

The MARSS Program

USG DHC-7

Aircraft bought under the MARSS program are fitted with survivability equipment, full motion video, signals collection (COMINT) gear, and military mission communications equipment, and may be fitted with other equipment by the government if desired. The resulting Dash-7 aircraft are broadly similar to the RC-7 fleet, but not exactly so. Other aircraft are reportedly in use by the program. For instance, Telford Aviation also lists aircraft like the Cessna 208 Caravan in its inventory, which has been used in a surveillance role over Iraq.

MARSS was first placed as a combatant commander Quick-Reaction Contract in 1999. The government actually owns the aircraft bought under the program, but they are flown and maintained by contractors on the government’s behalf. All personnel would, of course, require US Department of Defense security clearances. In contrast, the similar RC-7B fleet is operated by the US military.

Telford Aviation, Inc. has reportedly been involved with the MARSS program for the last several years. Over that time frame, the workload would have been quite stable.

Contracts and Key Events

Unless otherwise noted, the The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) in Fort Monmouth, NJ manages these contracts.

Aug 29/08: Telford Aviation Inc. in Bangor, ME received a $36.6 million, unfinalized time-and-material contract. The award covers components of the Multi Sensor Airborne Reconnaissance Surveillance System. Work will be performed in Hagerstown, MD, with an estimated completion date of June 6/09. Bids were solicited sole source (W15P7T-07-C-W009).

June 24/08: Telford Aviation Inc. in Bangor, Maine received a $7.4 million time and materials contract for DeHavilland Dash-7 aircraft to be designated as Multi-Sensor Airborne Reconnaissance Surveillance Systems.

Work will be performed in Hagerstown, MD and is expected to be complete by Jan 31/09. One bid was solicited on May 29/08 (W15P7T-07-C-W009).

May 2/08: Telford Aviation Inc. in Bangor, Maine receives a $26.4 million time-and-materials contract for 9 months of continued MARSS support. Work will be performed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is expected to be completed by Jan 31/09. One bid was solicited on March 11/08 (W15P7T-07-C-W009).

Aug 22/07: Telford Aviation in Dothan, AL receives an $11.2 million time and materials contract for MARSS operational support. Work will be performed in Dothan, AL and is expected to be complete by April 30/08. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 17/07 (W15P7T-07-C-W009).

Additional Readings

• NY Times (June 22/08) - At Odds With Air Force, Army Adds Its Own Aviation Unit. Covers an effort known as Project ODIN, which has been very successful and will soon spread to Afghanistan.

• Edwards AFB, va Google Cache (My 22/06) – Engineer takes flight testing to fight, wins award. Discusses the C-12 Horned Owl variant, part of Project ODIN.

• Aviation Week (May 8/05) – Rise in Suicide Attacks in Iraq Propels Search for Better IED Detection. Includes details re: the C-12R Horned Owl aircraft, with ventral APY-8 Lynx radars and electro-optical sensors.