Boeing Wins CNS-ATM Upgrade Contract for USAF’s KC-10 Tankers

KC-10 & F-22A

International CNS/ATM standards are in the beginning stages of a profound change. The FAA has mandated changes by 2015 that will tighten requirements for flying in civil airspace without a special permit, and the ICAO is working to a similar timeframe. Since the ability to fly in civil airspace significantly affects mission routes and fuel consumption, the US military is pushing to make its critical KC-135 and KC-10 tanker fleets fully compliant.

Boeing has been doing similar CNS/ATM work for the Dutch RNLAF’s 3 aircraft KDC-10 fleet, but lost its hold on the multi-billion dollar KC-10 long-term maintenance contract in 2009, putting its status for the KC-10 CNS/ATM project in question. Boeing won that contract, though, and will work with Rockwell Collins and ARINC…

White House Wants to Encourage Contracting Innovation, Information Sharing

• The US Office of Management and Budget [OMB] published a list of innovative contracting case studies [PDF] that include rapid prototyping, milestone-based competitions, challenges, and other contracting schemes. Both contractors and government employees are invited to join a Google group for further discussion. There is encouraging self-awareness in there: “transaction costs related to mandates unique to the government can add an 18 to 20% cost premium.”