CPI Aerostructures has secured a purchase order from the US Air Force (USAF) to deliver structural modification kits for its T-38C aircraft.
Under this $6.2m contract, CPI Aero will supply structural components, programme management, logistics, discrepancy reporting / resolution, and sub-contract management.
The delivery is part of the Pacer Classic III (PC III) aircraft structural modification programme that is designed to improve T-38C operational capability while strengthening flight safety, reliability, and maintainability.
The latest development marks the second purchase order received against a $49m indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity (ID / IQ) contract that was awarded in February this year.
Awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, this ID / IQ contract covers the supply of 74 modification kits in support of the Phase II of the modification programme.
According to CPI Aero, the latest purchase order also increases the funded value of this contract to $11.8m for deliveries through September 2018.
The Northrop Grumman-built T-38C is a twin engine, two seat, supersonic jet trainer used by Air Education Training Command as an advanced trainer in Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
The aircraft is also operated by the US Navy and Nasa, as well as the armed forces of Germany, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey.
The (PC III) upgrade programme is designed to replace vital, fatigue sensitive structural items including steel dorsal longerons, cockpit longerons, the upper / lower centre longerons, as well as associated bulkheads / formers, skins, and floors.
In July, PI Aero secured a multi-year contract from Lockheed Martin to build lock assemblies for the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant aircraft.
Under this contract, CPI will supply four lock assemblies for the arresting gear door on 289 F-35A CTOL aircraft to Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division based in Fort Worth, Texas, US.
Image: Northrop Grumman’s T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer on runway with ground crew directing movement. Photo: courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.
