Article Posted on : - Oct 11, 2010

F/A-18C Hornets assigned to the US Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, perform during the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar 2010 Air Show. A US Navy photo

OKLAHOMA CITY (BNS): Boeing has submitted two separate bids to provide a whole range of aviation services and support to the US Navy's fleet of aircraft.

The two proposals, valued between $500 million and $600 million and spanned over five years, will cover a total of 170 US Navy's aircraft, including the F/A-18, V-22, P-8 and AV-8B.

Unmanned Airborne Systems and several other aircraft platforms also would be included in the scope of work, Boeing said.

The first contract, submitted on September 22, covers aircraft maintenance, modifications and aircrew services support at Patuxent River, Maryland, for the Navy’s Atlantic region.

The second proposal, submitted on October 6, covers similar work for the Pacific region at California naval air stations in Point Mugu and China Lake, the defence company said.

The US Naval Air Systems Command expects to make a decision in February 2011.

Boeing has already been providing engineering and maintenance service for the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Division’s flight test programmes for the F/A-18 fighters at Patuxent River and support for the NAWC’s Weapons Division at China Lake.