US Air Force Requests Proposals For JStars Replacement

The U.S. Air Force has launched a competition on development of a new Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft to support airborne battle management command-and-control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations of joint and coalition forces.

The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or JSTARS, is an airborne battle management platform used to support a variety of intelligence-gathering operations.

"With the release of the RFP, we are keeping the Recap program on track for delivery of a critical warfighting capability." JSTARS Recap program manager Col. Dave Learned said in a statement last week.

The RFP release follows a receipt of Acquisition Decision Memoradum, signed by US defense acquisition chief Frank Kendall in September.

The document will task contractors with bolstering airframe, radar, and communication capabilities in addition to weapon system engineering and testing.

Contract options are also included to cover low-rate initial production for two or more additional weapon systems and full-rate production for four additional weapon systems for a total of 17 planes.

Northrop Grumman is the primary contractor for JSTARS projects. Additional support is provided by Raytheon and Pratt and Whitney.