Bluezoo
08-31-2005, 11:28 AM
U.S. Navy Study Will Help Army Pick New Spy Plane
By GOPAL RATNAM
U.S. Army officials mulling the choice of an aircraft for their multibillion-dollar spy plane program are using the recommendations in a Naval Air Systems Command study.
The Army’s Communications and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., asked for the study after Lockheed Martin, the contractor it chose for its Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) program last August, reported within months of obtaining the deal that the aircraft included in its winning bid, Embraer RJ-145, was inadequate.
The ACS program envisages 56 new spy planes — 37 for the Army and 19 for the Navy — that could be worth nearly $7 billion if both services buy their stated requirements. The Navy hasn’t signed on to the program yet.
The Navy study’s recommendations include larger aircraft to replace the Embraer RJ-145 that Lockheed proposed to carry its package of electronics and sensors. The losing team, led by Northrop Grumman, proposed fitting the electronics on board a Gulfstream 450.
The study — and the search for a new aircraft — comes after years spent identifying the right mix of electronics and airplane.
“With Aerial Common Sensor, the contractor and the government spent nearly three years on concept and technology development, prior to awarding” the $879 million contract in August 2004, “to help determine the right combination of aircraft and sensor package that would maximize performance and value,” Lt. Col. Kevin Curry, an Army spokesman said.
This was followed by a five-month study by a group of government officials, known as the source selection and evaluation board, which “validated” the proposals, Curry said.
But by June, Lockheed executives had identified “size, weight, power and cooling” challenges and proposed a larger aircraft to replace their original choice.
For the full text, go to:
http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=1068807&C=airwar
By GOPAL RATNAM
U.S. Army officials mulling the choice of an aircraft for their multibillion-dollar spy plane program are using the recommendations in a Naval Air Systems Command study.
The Army’s Communications and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, N.J., asked for the study after Lockheed Martin, the contractor it chose for its Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) program last August, reported within months of obtaining the deal that the aircraft included in its winning bid, Embraer RJ-145, was inadequate.
The ACS program envisages 56 new spy planes — 37 for the Army and 19 for the Navy — that could be worth nearly $7 billion if both services buy their stated requirements. The Navy hasn’t signed on to the program yet.
The Navy study’s recommendations include larger aircraft to replace the Embraer RJ-145 that Lockheed proposed to carry its package of electronics and sensors. The losing team, led by Northrop Grumman, proposed fitting the electronics on board a Gulfstream 450.
The study — and the search for a new aircraft — comes after years spent identifying the right mix of electronics and airplane.
“With Aerial Common Sensor, the contractor and the government spent nearly three years on concept and technology development, prior to awarding” the $879 million contract in August 2004, “to help determine the right combination of aircraft and sensor package that would maximize performance and value,” Lt. Col. Kevin Curry, an Army spokesman said.
This was followed by a five-month study by a group of government officials, known as the source selection and evaluation board, which “validated” the proposals, Curry said.
But by June, Lockheed executives had identified “size, weight, power and cooling” challenges and proposed a larger aircraft to replace their original choice.
For the full text, go to:
http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=1068807&C=airwar