Jan 19 2007
Goodrich Corporation will be supplying various products and services including thrust reversers, inlets and engine and pylon installation systems and equipment in support of the U.S. Air Force's Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft fleet re-engining program as announced today by the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman.
According to Curtis Reusser, President of Goodrich's Aerostructures division, "This contract is the long expected fulfillment of the modernization of the JSTARS fleet, increasing the aircraft's performance and efficiency and extending its life. We expect that this modernization will lead the way to re-engining other Boeing 707 military assets including the U.S. Air Force's AWACs."
The re-engining program is designed to improve the fuel efficiency, extend the range and reduce the noise and exhaust emissions of the fleet of 19 U.S. Air Force JSTARS aircraft.
In 2002 Goodrich was selected by Northrop Grumman after a best value competition was conducted under direction of the U.S. Air Force. Northrop had selected Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines equipped with Goodrich's nacelle system components to modernize its JSTARS aircraft fleet.
JSTARS is a long-range, air-to-ground surveillance system that locates, classifies and tracks ground targets in all weather conditions. JSTARS consists of an airborne platform with a multi-role radar system and mobile ground station modules. The airborne platform is a modified Boeing 707 aircraft designated as the E-8C.