The Defense Logistics Agency has awarded advanced boresight equipment (ABE) contract to AAI Test & Training, a Textron Systems’ operating unit.
AAI will supply 16 ABE core test systems Model 310A to the U.S. Air Force and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Bell Boeing CV-22 Osprey fleets. The value of this contract is $7.7 million.
Previously, the company has provided over 40 ABE systems, which are compatible with over 10 different airplane platforms to the Air Force. ABE systems from AAI Test & Training have been additionally used by SOCOM for alignment of its fixed-wing aircraft fleet for over five years.
According to Robert Peters, AAI Test & Training’s General Manager and Senior Vice President, ABE system is more reliable for several aircraft platforms. The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine corps along with the associates across the globe have used more than 160 of the company’s ABE systems, for 24 different aircraft platforms.
The gyro-stabilized ABE core system is an electro-optical angular measurement system that is specifically designed to perform alignment of the subsystems of the aircrafts. The ABE system allows parallel maintenance. The aircraft need not be leveled and jacked during the testing. Operational- and depot level-users can maintain the schedule and decrease the expenses for maintenance. These characteristics enable better manufacturing throughput for original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
Source: http://www.aaicorp.com/