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
-
![DSEI 2025: Drone Evolution eyes UK and export markets with Scimitar FPV drone]()
DSEI 2025: Drone Evolution eyes UK and export markets with Scimitar FPV drone
Launched at DSEI 2025 for the first time, the first-person-view uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) is available as 10-inch and 7-inch variant, ideal for surveillance or one-way strike missions.
-
![Proteus: forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft]()
Proteus: forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with DE&S Future Capabilities Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
![Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?]()
Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?
The surveillance aircraft from Boeing is deployed by various countries, most notably the Royal Australian Air Force; but ongoing setbacks for future customers, who cite rising costs and delays, have thrown the aircraft into the spotlight.
-
![India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms]()
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
