Collins Aerospace was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) sustainment contract for the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) U-2 reconnaissance aircraft program with a ceiling value of $493 million to support the USAF’s fleet of U-2 electro-optical/infrared sensors. The USAF also awarded Collins a $66.2 million Task Order for the first year of support, and fully-negotiated options for the second and third years of services and support valued at $114.6 million.
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed “Dragon Lady”, is an American single-jet engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It provides day and night, high-altitude (70,000 feet, 21,300 meters), all-weather intelligence gathering. The U-2 has also been used for electronic sensor research, satellite calibration, scientific research, and communications purposes. The U-2 is one of a handful of aircraft types to have served the USAF for over 50 years, along with the Boeing B-52, Boeing KC-135, and Lockheed C-130.
“Collins is proud to ensure the U-2 platform’s ongoing mission readiness with reliable and mature ISR assets that support USAF technology insertions, modernization and information dominance initiatives,” said Dave McClure, vice president and general manager of ISR & Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “These awards continue our 60+ years of unparalleled end-to-end sustainment support for the U-2 and our team’s commitment to the warfighter.”
Collins Aerospace has a long, successful history of delivering the highest level of operational availability and performance for ISR missions. High altitude imaging is foundational to Collins Aerospace, and the Senior Year Electro Optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS)-2C sensor has continued to outperform other systems for decades. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market.
