Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $200 million through life support (TLS) contract for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter fleet.
The five-year base, 22-year rolling wave, performance-based contract includes engineering and logistic services.
“Our team will provide capabilities that go beyond daily sustainment operations to provide forward-thinking, analytical solutions for the C-27J platform,” the company’s Technology Services general manager John Parker said. “Our process is predictive, holistic and continually optimised to provide game-changing mission readiness. This enables us to anticipate necessary modernisations and enhancements to the fleet.”
According to local chief executive Ian Irving, the C-27J TLS program directly supports Northrop Grumman’s vision to develop Australian talent and capabilities in keeping with the Australian Defence Industry initiative.
“This program represents the strategic foundation for Northrop Grumman upon which we can build sovereign Australian capabilities to sustain and modernise the 5th generation Air Force of the future,” he said.
Irving said Northrop Grumman’s TLS experience with platforms such as KC-30A helps ensure C-27J program performance will align with the customer’s evolving needs and bring a higher level of platform stewardship to the program.
“Teaming with Leonardo, the original equipment manufacturer for the aircraft, allows Northrop Grumman to reduce primary risks to data access, design engineering support and supply chain management,” he added.
The RAAF is acquiring a fleet of 10 C-27J Spartan transport aircraft to provide a battlefield airlift capability for the ADF. Delivered between mid-2015 and early 2018, the aircraft are operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond, with the fleet moving to RAAF Base Amberley in early 2019.