BAE provides computer, software upgrades for AF transports

BAE Systems Inc. will design and test computers for 37 C-130 aircraft under an Air Force contract worth approximately $23 million.

The award from the Air Force Materiel Command at Warner Robins Air Force Base in Georgia calls for BAE Systems to develop, qualify and test the new mission computers, according to a Sept. 9 company announcement that made no mention of the duration of the contract.

The contractor also will integrate existing software and manufacture the kits the Air Force uses for final installation.

The new mission computers will replace the current versions on about 20 MC-130H variants and 17 AC-130U variants used by Special Operations Forces, the company said.

BAE Systems also will conduct ground and flight testing for the computers.

The work will be conducted at BAE Systems facilities at Warner Robins and San Antonio, Texas, and at various government locations.

This award builds on BAE Systems’ long history of support for the C-130 transports that includes more than 200 modifications to C-130 variants since the late 1990s, the announcement said.

BAE Systems Inc., of Arlington, Va., ranks No. 17 on Washington Technology’s 2011 Top 100 list of the largest federal government contractors.