Raytheon-Navy Partnership Wins Performance Based Logistics Award for H-60 FLIR

On November 7, 2006 The US Department of Defense has awarded a Raytheon/ US Navy partnership a Performance Based Logistics Award (sub-system level) for performance based logistics that has improved the availability, reliability and mission success of the AN/AAS-44(v) forward looking infrared system for the H-60 Seahawk helicopter. This FLIR system allows H-60 aircrews to detect, track, classify, identify and attack targets such as fast patrol boats, mine-laying craft, or even land targets. Along with Raytheon, the award recognizes Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, and the Naval Inventory Control Point.
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is in the fourth year of a 10-year firm fixed price contract valued at $123 million to provide performance based logistics and mission support for the AN/AAS-44(v) FLIR. “Performance-based logistics” is a global trend in advanced militaries; it can use a range of contract options, but its core focus is a shift from pay-per-part to paying for agreed-upon benchmarks of performance in reliability, availability, et. al. Award documentation notes that the Raytheon/ Navy AN/AAS-44(v) team has steadily maintained 100% availability and achieved a 40% growth in system reliability improvement. The program is also providing increased spares availability, a 65% improvement in logistics response time, and estimated savings and cost avoidance for the Navy of $31 million. Raytheon release.