$5.4M for KC-130J Air Tanker Turbprop Engines
Rolls Royce Corp. in Indianapolis, IN is being awarded a $5.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for AE2100D3 Engines used on the KC-130J refueller aircraft. The KC-130J is based on Lockheed’s privately-developed C-130J Hercules aircraft, which recently had a narrow escape from full funding cuts. $1 billion has been requested for KC-130J purchases during FY 2006, and current FY 2006 defense budget proposals may impact how many of these aircraft are placed under the control of the US Marines vs. the US Air Force.
The six-bladed AE2100D3 engines are one of the major changes in the Hercules “J” version, though the KC-130J also includes a number of mission-specific enhancements that significantly extend its capabilities as a refueler.
Work on this contract will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and work is expected to be completed August 2006. Contract funds will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is not competitively procured. The Naval Inventory Control Point issued the contract (N00383-05-C-009M).
