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Boeing Receives A-10 Modernization Contracts From US Air Force

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Boeing Receives A-10 Modernization Contracts From US Air Force
UNITED STATES - 24 SEPTEMBER 2009

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has received two separate contracts from the U.S. Air Force to support modernization of the service's fleet of 365 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. The contracts, which have a total value of $4.2 million, consist of several tasks ranging in duration from three to 18 months.

The first contract, which will be performed by Boeing and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), provides engineering services for the A-10 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP). The program centers on updating and aligning modern structural analysis tools, processes and standards for the A-10 fleet.

The second contract, which will be performed by Boeing and industry team partners Raytheon Technical Services and BAE Systems Platform Solutions, is for a Trade Study Analysis and Operational Assessment/Proof of Concept for the Upgraded Data Transfer Unit (UDTU). The goal of this contract is to update the aircraft's avionics architecture to improve memory and data capability.

The ASIP and the UDTU contracts are two of many that will be awarded as part of the $1.6 billion A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support (TLPS) contract. A-10 TLPS is designed to support the sustainment of the A-10 and integration of current and future requirements. In June, Boeing was selected as one of three contractors to fulfill several A-10 TLPS task and delivery orders for the Air Force.

Other A-10 contracts Boeing has received include a services contract that provides the Air Force with on-site engineering support and 3-D models of the A-10 wing, and a contract for fuselage lofting (transfer of a scaled-down plan to full size). The $2 billion A-10 Wing Replacement Program, which Boeing received in June 2007, plans to manufacture up to 242 enhanced wing assemblies. Work remains on schedule as Boeing continues to develop the 3-D models that provide the engineering foundation for production of the new wings. The models allowed the Air Force to quickly resolve wing-crack issues that temporarily grounded the A-10 fleet last year.

"We are honored to continue supporting the Air Force and the A-10 fleet," said Bill Moorefield, A-10 program manager for Boeing. "We are committed to the standard of excellence we have exhibited on the A-10 Wing Replacement Program, and we look forward to delivering the same outstanding level of customer satisfaction and performance on this contract."

The A-10, also known as the Warthog, was introduced into the Air Force inventory in 1976. The twin-engine aircraft provides close-air support of ground forces and employs a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general-purpose bombs. The simple, effective and survivable single-seat aircraft can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The aircraft is supporting warfighters in Afghanistan and Iraq today.


Source: The Boeing Company
 
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A-10 Thunderbolt II (U.S. Air Force)

The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is an highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

The Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems, or NVIS, goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft.

The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft's parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers.

Avionics equipment includes multi-band communications; Global Positioning System and inertial navigations systems; infrared and electronic countermeasures against air-to-air and air-to-surface threats. And, it has a Pave Penny laser spot tracker system; a heads-up display to display flight and weapons delivery information; and a low altitude safety and targeting enhancement system, which provides constantly computed impact and release points for accurate ordnance delivery. There is also a low-altitude autopilot and a ground collision avoidance system.

The A-10 is currently undergoing the precision engagement modification, which adds upgraded cockpit displays, moving map, hands on throttle and stick, digital stores management, LITENING and Sniper advanced targeting pod integration, situational awareness data link or SADL, variable message format, or VMF, GPS-guided weapons, and upgraded DC power. Precision engagement modified aircraft are designated as the A-10C.

The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions or JDAM), wind corrected munitions dispenser or WCMD, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.

General Characteristics: A-10 THUNDERBOLT II
*User: U.S. Air Force
*Primary Function: A-10 -- close air support, A-10C - airborne forward air control
*Power Plant: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
*Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine
*Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches (17.42 meters)
*Length: 53 feet, 4 inches (16.16 meters)
*Height: 14 feet, 8 inches (4.42 meters)
*Weight: 29,000 pounds (13,154 kilograms)
*Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds (22,950 kilograms)
*Fuel Capacity: 11,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
*Payload: 16,000 pounds (7,257 kilograms)
*Speed: 420 miles per hour (Mach 0.56)
*Ceiling: 45,000 feet (13,636 meters)
*Armament: One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pound (225 kilograms) Mk-82 and 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) Mk-84 series low/high drag bombs, incendiary cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, mine dispensing munitions, AGM-65 Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch (6.99 centimeters) rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

Archive Photo: U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt


 
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makes me wonder what they are upgrading 365 aircraft with that only costs 4.2 million.
 
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