The Air Force has awarded a contract worth up to $2 billion to Boeing to serve as the product integrator for work on the service’s fleet of four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft. Boeing has provided logistics support, engineering services, and technical order support for the E-4B, which is a modified Boeing 747, for 25 years, say company officials. Boeing will work with L3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, and Greenpoint Technology to bring multiple contracts under a “single contracting vehicle” to reduce cost.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.