Multiple Contracts Total Approx. $27 Million Over Five Years

The US Air Force has selected Rockwell Collins to provide expanded avionics support on its KC-135 fleet, maintaining and repairing Global Air Traffic Management (GATM components and keeping the aircraft in compliance with Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) mandates. Multiple contracts are valued at some $27 million over the next five years. 

The contracts expands Rockwell Collins’ existing footprint on the KC-135, The company currently provides support for the Flight2 integrated avionics system and communications equipment on the platform: these contracts will expand its footprint. 

The GATM upgrade program was originally awarded to Rockwell Collins by the Air Force in 1999 to replace outdated avionics equipment that was incapable of meeting new CNS/ATM mandates. GATM components included the integration of a new flight management system, new inertial navigation units, military flight planning with tanker-unique patterns, integration to the existing analog autopilot, full CNS/ATM capability for Required Navigation Performance (RNP), Area Navigation (RNAV), Control Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and Air Operations Center (AOC) functionality. “After many years of partnering with the Air Force in developing and delivering our Flight2 capability, we’ll continue to deliver results and work to keep the KC-135 fleet mission ready,” commented the company’s Vice President and General Manager, Service Solutions, Thierry Tosi.