Ranged Generation Next (RGNext) has been awarded a contract for the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the US Air Force’s (USAF) launch and test range system (LTRS).
Valued at $86.5m, the launch and test range integrated service contract (LISC) includes operations, organisational- and depot-level maintenance, as well as sustainment at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, US.
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Awarded by the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), the fixed-price-incentive contract also includes potential options, which if exercised will bring the total contract value to $2bn.
Air Force Space Command commander general John Hyten said: "I am proud of the men and women who operate, maintain, and sustain our ranges and the track record of mission success built over the years.
"With LISC, we will continue to provide the same great range capability but now at a much more affordable price."
Managed by the Spacelift Range System Division within the Launch Systems Directorate of SMC, LTRS is a complex network of a combination of instrumentation assets that enable safe and effective launch, testing, and tracking of Department of Defense, civil and commercial spacecraft.
In addition, the system conducts ballistic missile launches, guided weapon, and aeronautical tests and evaluations.
Expected to be completed by Sept 2015, work under the contract is scheduled to be carried out at Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base. Pillar Point Air Force Station, California, Antigua Air Station, and Ascension Auxiliary Air Field will also be locations for the developments.
Led by Raytheon Technical Services, RGNext also includes General Dynamics, ASRC Aerospace, ARES, Schafer and Primus Solutions.
The other three teams who bid for the contract include Consolidated Range Enterprise, InSpace21, and ITT Exelis Information Systems, as reported by Space News.
