The US Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a seven-year contract worth upwards of $500 million to manufacture more than 200 electronic Consolidated Automated Support Systems (eCASS), with a view to maximizing aircraft readiness.
Currently, sailors use eCASS to troubleshoot and repair avionics both ashore and at sea, allowing them to quickly return aircraft – such as the F/A-18 and E-2D – to operational duty with greater efficiently.
According to Naval Air Systems Command, eCASS already saves the US Navy a considerable sum in avionic repairs by averting the need for next level maintenance, meaning fewer parts have to be sent back to their original manufacturer. The previous US Navy CASS contract, also awarded to Lockheed Martin in 2000, was worth £287 million.
“Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the Navy on Automated Test Equipment began more than 30 years ago with the production and sustainment of the legacy CASS family of products,” said Amy Gowder, General Manager and Vice President of Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions.
“Our technology is always evolving and now can support F-35 advanced avionics and other fifth-generation platforms. Our goal remains the same – keep aircraft mission ready at the most affordable lifecycle cost now and for the future.”
Since 2010, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 80 eCASS stations to the US Navy as part of its transition from legacy CASS testing stations to the smaller, faster and more reliable variant.
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