Eielson U.S. Air Force Base in Alaska is set to receive a new F-35A Lightning II weather shelter in a new Defense Department deal.

The contract, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and announced on Tuesday, is valued at more than $82.1 million under the terms of a firm-fixed-price contract that enables Watterson Construction Company to construct a weather shelter for the advanced aircraft.

The construction contract follows a $58 million contract awarded to Watterson in January for design of the facility.

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft is a fifth-generation stealth fighter slated to replace most of the U.S. fighter fleet over the next few decades.

Work on the new contract will occur at Eielson Air Force and is expected to be complete in August 2020.

The total cumulative value of the contract award will be obligated to Watterson at time of award.

The obligated funds will be allocated from fiscal 2017 military construction funds, the Pentagon said.

Harris tapped for aircraft protection hardware
Washington (UPI) Jun 5, 2018 –

The Defense Department on Monday announced a modification to a Pentagon contract for technology designed to shield aircraft from radio frequency threats.

The deal worth more than $18.6 million enables the Harris Corporation to provide sustainment services for the ALQ-172 self-protection integrated radio frequency subsystem, according to a Pentagon press release.

The ALQ-172 subsystem, used on the B-52 Stratofortress, special operation C-130 Combat Talons and Spectre gunships, is designed to provide aircraft with protection from radio frequency threats by countering enemy signals that send out continuous pulse Doppler and monopulse threats, said a Harris fact sheet.

The contract modification provides for two additional 12-month ordering periods, which extends the total period of performance to September 2020. The modification also surges the overall cumulative value of the deal to more than $90.1 million.

Work on the contract will occur in Clifton, N.J., the Pentagon said. No funds will be obligated to Harris Corp. at time of award.