Textron wins JSECST, retrofit kit orders

AAI Corporation, operating as Textron Systems Electronic Systems, has been awarded two delivery orders worth $11.5 million for Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Testers (JSECST) and retrofit kits, Textron announced on 26 May.

The orders come under an existing, up to $43.6 million, four-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that the US Air Force (USAF) awarded. They include 15 AN/USM-670A JSECSTs and 95 AN/USM-670A Retrofit Kits. The IDIQ will manufacture and deliver an estimated 50 JSECSTs, 13 Laboratory JSECSTs, 410 JSECST Retrofit Kits and 20 Laboratory JSECST Retrofit Kits. Production is ongoing and is expected to complete by 30 September 2018.

The USAF, army and navy have approved the next-generation JSECST after six months of regression testing. The upgrade kits add around 20 more years of serviceable life and the capability to test various new mission-critical aircraft systems. The new and upgraded test sets are fully compatible with current JSECST test programme accessories and tests. The JSECST Test Program Set and Core Test Set customise the test performance characteristics to the platform.

Steve Mensh, senior vice president and general manager, Textron Systems Electronic Systems, said: 'The JSECST system has been a workhorse for the US Department of Defense and so many of our allies for more than 15 years, delivering reliable, repeatable testing for mission-critical systems and giving aircrews the confidence they need to execute their missions.

'Our advanced-performance JSECST tester and upgrade kits will give our customers decades of additional product life and performance enhancements, through a streamlined, low-risk service life extension programme. This approach creates exceptional value for our customers over time.'