The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has entered into a significant agreement with Texas-based defense contractor KBR, worth $117 million, aimed at providing vital support to its F/A-18 and EA-18G foreign military sales program. This contract underscores KBR’s commitment to bolster the operational readiness of allied forces utilizing these critical military aircraft.
Under the terms of the contract, KBR will deliver a comprehensive array of services that encompass sustainment, engineering, and logistics. The focus is on assisting allied operators, including nations such as Australia, Finland, and Switzerland, in maintaining the necessary operational readiness of their F/A-18 supersonic jets and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft. These services are crucial for ensuring that these allied forces can effectively utilize their aircraft in various military operations.
In addition to direct aircraft support, the agreement outlines a range of administrative services, which include integrated program management, technical and financial oversight, lifecycle logistics, and communications-security services. This multifaceted approach is designed to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the program, benefitting both KBR and its international partners.
The execution of this contract will see KBR conducting operations both within the United States and in the partner nations, ensuring that local operators receive timely and relevant support. Over the five-year duration of the agreement, KBR aims to reinforce its long-standing relationship with NAVAIR, as noted by Mark Kavanaugh, the president of defense, intelligence, and space at KBR. He emphasized the company’s extensive experience with the F/A-18 platform and expressed commitment to being a trusted partner in delivering the necessary support for this program.
The F/A-18 family of aircraft, which includes the EA-18G variant, is recognized as one of the most widely utilized strike fighter platforms globally. Since the start of production in the late 1970s, over 2,000 F/A-18s have been delivered to various allied nations, demonstrating its significant role in international defense. However, by 2025, it is projected that less than half of these airframes will remain active across a range of countries, including the US, Australia, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Spain, Kuwait, and Malaysia. This contract is a critical step in ensuring that these aircraft continue to operate at their full capacity in the years to come.
