Army Eyeing 2009 Restart Of Aerial Common Sensor

Posted on: Jan. 17th, 2006 || Source: aviationweek.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

The Army hopes to be able to rethink its acquisition strategy for the Aerial Common Sensor program and restart the competition in 2009 following a new study by the Pentagon on joint airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements.

The service chose to terminate prime contractor Lockheed Martin's $879 million ACS development contract rather than proceed with any of the company's proposed options for saving the program following the revelation last year that the company's chosen ACS aircraft was too small (DAILY, Jan. 13).

This month, the Office of the Secretary of Defense is beginning a six-month joint study to determine the right mix of manned and unmanned ISR aircraft that both services will need. If the program restarts in 2009, a new capability could be fielded around 2016, the Army said.

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