The Air Force has awarded Boeing two contracts—together totaling $4.2 million—to support the A-10 Thunderbolt Life-Cycle Program Support contract to sustain and modernize the service’s A-10 fleet. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are all participating in the $1.6 billion TLPS. For Boeing, that work already includes manufacturing up to 242 enhanced wing assemblies under a $2 billion wing replacement program. The new work Boeing acquired provides engineering services with Southwest Research Institute for the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program and trade study analysis and operational assessment/proof of concept work with partners Raytheon and BAE Systems to update the avionics architecture. (Boeing release)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.