L-3 begins KC-10 sustainment work after protest delay

L-3 has begun work on a nearly $2 billion KC-10 sustainment contract after the Government Accountability Office announced last month it had denied a protest of the award.

The contract, which was awarded in June, could reach $1.9 billion over nine years of performance. L-3 will provide depot maintenance support for 59 U.S. Air Force KC-10 tankers as well as sustainment support for two KDC-10 aircraft operated by the Royal Netherland's Air Force. Work began on Sept. 27, according to an Oct. 11 press release from L-3.

Competitor AAR Defense Systems and Logistics filed a protest in June that stalled the program about four months. GAO denied the protest on Sept. 22.

Michael Strianese, L-3 chief executive officer, said in the release the award will expand the company's portfolio of logistics support work.

"This KC-10 contract award gives L-3 the opportunity to provide the Air Force and a key international ally with engineering innovation and affordable, best value solutions and services," the release states. "This new business win also adds a new aircraft to our scope of [contractor logistics support] work and expands our business base."