ISRAEL AIRCRAFT Industries (IAI) has broken into the military market with its Astra SPX corporate jet with an initial $21 million contract from the US Air Force to supply two aircraft.
The total potential value of the contract is $47 million if an option for two extra aircraft is exercised in fiscal year 1998. Tracor Flight Systems, IAI's partner in the sale, also is expected to receive a $6 million contract for logistic support.
The two Astra SPX aircraft to be delivered in late 1997 will replace C-21A Learjets now in the USAF inventory. The USAF, which wanted a more versatile longer-range aircraft, solicited bids from nine firms, but only received proposals from Tracor/IAI and Learjet.
The six- to-nine passenger SPX, powered by two AlliedSignal TFE731-40 turbofans, will be modified at Tracor's Aircraft Systems division in Mojave, California. About 75 C-21As are operated by USAF and Air National Guard units to provide airlift and aeromedical missions.
Source: Flight International