Air Combat Command seeking production-ready PGM for F-35

By Courtney Albon / February 13, 2017 at 1:28 PM

Air Force Air Combat Command is looking for a quick-turnaround, 500-pound precision-guided bomb that could be fielded on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as soon as this year.

The service is conducting market research to identify companies that may be able to produce up to 1,200 precision-guided munitions and meet the requirements of the F-35 Block 3F Operational Flight Plan, according to a Feb. 10 sources-sought notice. The notice indicates the bombs will be fielded on the Air Force's F-35A variant.

"In response to an Air Combat Command Quick Reaction Capability requirement, the USAF is seeking a time-sensitive, interim solution to add a 500-pound class precision-guided munition with moving and maneuvering target capability that is mechanically, electrically and logically compatible with F-35 Block 3F aircraft," the notice states, making clear that the service is looking for "a mature, existing design already in production."

The service could issue a contract as soon as the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 for an initial 400 PGMs with deliveries beginning six months later.

"The capability cannot impact the current fielding schedule for F-35 Block 3F, namely 15 May 2018," the notice states.

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