BAE Systems joins Vertex in USMC Harrier support contract
Two companies will ensure increased efficiency of maintenance operations for the AV-8B fleet.
BAE Systems and Vertex Aerospace have signed a nine-year agreement to enhance availability of the AV-8B Harrier II/II+ fleet operated by the USMC.
Vertex provides aircraft maintenance and contractor logistics support (CLS) services for the USMC Harrier fleet, under a $123 million Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew, and Related Services task order issued by the USN in July 2020.
Some 120 Harriers remain in USMC service out of the 200 originally ordered, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Vertex selected BAE Systems as a subcontractor for the CLS contract. Together, the two partners ‘will ensure increased efficiency of maintenance operations for the Harrier fleet using predictive maintenance techniques and smart stock optimisation tools’, BAE Systems noted in a 12 January announcement.
BAE Systems already maintains the reaction control system on the AV-8B Harrier and it also provides engineering and technical support for the aircraft.
Engineers from BAE Systems will work alongside Vertex and the USMC at three locations in the US. They will be supported by a specialist team in the UK.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone]()
MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone
The investment will bring together the Hybrid Drones and MBDA to enable the former to further develop its Hydra 400 UAV, previously showcased by the British Army.
-
![Norway receives final F-35 aircraft and unveils first Joint Strike Missile delivery]()
Norway receives final F-35 aircraft and unveils first Joint Strike Missile delivery
Work has begun on stockpiling the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following the first missile’s delivery from Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
-
![US Air Force has big plans for the F-47]()
US Air Force has big plans for the F-47
The USAF Chief of Staff has claimed that the sixth-generation fighter would allow for guaranteeing “air superiority for generations to come”.
-
![India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance]()
India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance
Inter-governmental agreement signed as final assembly line plans inch closer.
-
![Just Released: New UAS Technology Report now available to read]()
Just Released: New UAS Technology Report now available to read
Autonomous advantage: Unlocking the potential of VTOL UAS in the battlefield resupply role
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
