Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop Win JSTARS pre-EMD contracts From USAF

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman have won pre-engineering and manufacturing development (pre-EMD) contracts from the US Air Force (USAF) to replace its Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft.

The companies received the one-year deals to mature and test competing designs before a production contract is awarded in late 2017. The pre-EMD contracts are worth US$10 million to US$11.5 million each.

The Pentagon announced Friday that four offers were received, so an unnamed fourth bidder did not receive a pre-EMD contract.

Pre-EMD activity is expected to help the USAF refine requirements, identify costs, and reduce risk.

The air force is expected to release a request for proposal (RfP) for development contracts within two years and to quickly make a production decision.

Officials have said they plan to award two EMD contracts for two test aircraft - preferably flying prototypes - followed by low-rate production (LRIP) of three aircraft for initial operational capability in late 2023. The remaining 12 aircraft would be bought the following year. The E-8C fleet is expected to retire starting in fiscal year 2019.

Boeing has said it plans to offer a JSTARS based on its commercial 737-700 BBJ1. Lockheed Martin at the time said it would offer "a true open system architecture".

Skunk Works, the company's advanced programmes unit, is leading the effort that will see the company act as lead systems integrator, while Raytheon provides experience with ground surveillance; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems; and communications.

Bombardier is providing its ultra-long-range global business jet for the airframe.