Lockheed Martin received a $37.8 million contract to provide the U.S. Air Force with Precision Engagement production kits to modify A/OA-10 aircraft. The entire A-10 fleet will be modified over the next five years for an estimated total contract value of $168 million.

The Precision Engagement modification will enable the A-10 to use advanced precision guided weapons, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser. The modification also adds the capability for advanced targeting pods to improve pilots' situational awareness.

"The Precision Engagement modification allows aircrews to engage targets from a higher altitude using smart weapons," said Jeff Bantle, vice president and general manager of Multi-Mission Solutions, Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "This not only provides A-10 pilots with greater safety, but it also gives them the capability to more swiftly and accurately eliminate threats."

The kits include all of the components necessary for the Air Force to configure A-10 aircraft with the Precision Engagement capability. The upgrade also includes adding a Central Interface Control Unit (CICU), which provides a digital stores management system, two multifunction color displays, and new cockpit controls, and doubles the direct current generator capacity.

"These modifications significantly strengthen an aircraft our warfighters rely on for the impressive close air support it provides," Bantle said. "We're committed to ensuring its reliability and utility so our warfighters can achieve mission success."

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego is the prime contractor on the Precision Engagement modification, under the direction of the A-10 program office (508th Attack Sustainment Squadron), leading a team composed of BAE Systems, Southwest Research Institute and Northrop Grumman. The production kits, a result of work by Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Southwest Research Institute, are one component of the Precision Engagement program.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin