Smiths Aerospace,
Clearwater FL: Smiths Aerospace has been awarded a contract with a potential value of $34.5 million to provide performance-based logistics (PBL) in support of the stores management upgrade system (SMUG) on the F/A-18 C, D, E, F, & G aircraft. The program includes a five-year contract worth $16.5 million, with an $18 million follow-on contract for five years. The work will take place at Smiths' Florida and Michigan facilities and is expected to be complete in 2016.
“Smiths' PBL support is an integral part of our customer services business,” commented Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace. “We also have performance based logistics contracts in place on the AV-8B, F-14, F/A-18, Tornado, Hawk, Eurofighter, H-60 Lamps and other military platforms.”
Catherine Gridley, President, Smiths Aerospace Customer Services added, “Our integrated support processes enable us to provide our customers with innovative total product life cycle cost management solutions. This is a core strength for Smiths and it is an area where we plan continued growth.”
The contract covers the U.S. Navy fleet of 483 F/A-18 aircraft. The performance based logistics program provides the U.S. Navy with comprehensive equipment and support of the F/A-18 stores management system upgrade. Smiths' stores management system upgrade is standard equipment on the F/A-18 C-F variants, plus the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. It is also added as an update to older F/A-18 Hornets from Smiths', which added MIL-STD-1760 interface for more advanced weapons.
About the F/A-18: The F/A-18 is a twin-engine, multi-mission, tactical aircraft. It converts between air-to-air fighter missions and air-to-ground strike missions while on the same sortie with the flick of a switch. Currently serving the armed services of eight nations, the F/A-18 fulfills the following types of assignment: fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions.
