Air Force releases $422 million MC2A RFP

The Air Force has released the request for proposals for the $422 million battle management portion of its Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft program.

The contract will provide the battle management subsystem to the Air Force's Multi-Sensor Command and Control aircraft, a five-year program to develop a next-generation reconnaissance aircraft, designated E-10A. According to the Arlington, Va.-based military research firm GlobalSecurity.Org, it will cost the Air Force $58 billion to develop and build the craft. Northrop Grumman Corp., Los Angeles, has been chosen lead integrator for developing the craft.

The winning team on the battle management contract will work with the Air Force to incorporate command and control functions within weapons systems. The contract is expected to be worth about $422 million, according to government market research firm Federal Sources Inc., McLean, Va.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md. announced its intentions to compete for the work. The integrator's team will include AlphaTech Inc., L-3 Communications Corp., Raytheon Co. and Science Applications International Corp.

On May 14, Northrop Grumman, along with Boeing Co. and Raytheon, won a $215 million development and demonstration for the weapon system integration portion of the MC2A program.

The battle management RFP was released June 3. Proposals are due July 8.