Under the Integrated Weapons System Support Program (IWSSP), Boeing is applying its integrated approach to Support Systems to maintain, sustain and upgrade the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command fleet of uniquely configured C-130 aircraft.
The 10-year, $1.2 billion program was awarded to Boeing in October 1998.
Focused at its SOF Support Systems Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Boeing is providing engineering and logistics support and systems modifications for the AFSOC fleet of 87 C-130-variant aircraft. This fleet consists of the:
- MC-130P Combat Shadow refueling aircraft
- MC-130E Combat Talon I penetrating tanker aircraft
- MC-130H Combat Talon II infiltration/resupply aircraft
- AC-130U and AC-130H gunships
Boeing is responsible for modifying all these aircraft, including both hardware and software, as the Air Force develops and funds new requirements and subsystems for SOF. The goal of IWSSP is to reduce the overall cost of ownership of the SOF C-130s, and Boeing is applying its innovative support concepts and expertise as the world's largest aircraft manufacturer to provide the best possible value, fastest cycle time and preeminent quality. For example, Boeing has developed its own in-house repair capability for the sophisticated SOF C-130 subsystems at the SOF Support Systems Center to reduce both cost to the customer and turnaround time.
By saving sustainment dollars through this and other initiatives, Boeing is providing SOF with sources of funding to support technology growth. Boeing will participate in AFSOC's long-range planning process to ensure SOF retains its technology edge.