L2 Aviation has received a contract to install the Mode-5 Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) upgrades for the US Air Force (USAF) fleet of KC-10 Extender aircraft.

The remote avionics modification installation subcontract was awarded by Collins Aerospace. The value of the contract has not been revealed by the parties.

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As part of the contract, L2 Aviation’s Remote Avionics Modification Services (RAMS) teams will perform the installation work.

L2 Aviation president Mark Lebovitz said: “The KC-10 ADS-B scope is an important programme award for L2 Aviation as we build on our 22-year history of successful remote installations, minimising aircraft out of service time, and expanding our solutions into the military and government segments.

“This award demonstrates our never-ending commitment supporting the military with our contractor field teams, Group A-kit Manufacturing, and avionics integration capabilities.”

L2 Aviation will conduct four concurrent modification lines. The contract is part of the effort to meet the KC-10 aerial refuelling tanker’s Mode-5/ADS-B activation goals.

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The programme will involve performing 58 KC-10 installations at different locations around the US.

The USAF awarded a $160m contract to Rockwell Collins in 2011 to upgrade its KC-10 fleet under the communication, navigation, surveillance / air traffic management (CNS / ATM) cockpit modernisation programme.

Work includes systems integration for KC-10 and the supply of flight management systems, surveillance systems, displays and data link communications.

The KC-10 Extender is a three-engined aircraft used for transport and air-to-air refuelling operations.

Rockwell Collins completed the installation of the Flight2 integrated avionics system on the tanker fleet in 2017.

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