Collins Aerospace awarded three agreements for US Air Force U-2 program.

Collins Aerospace was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) sustainment contract for the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) U-2 program with a ceiling value of $493 million to support the USAF’s fleet of U-2 electro-optical/infrared sensors. The USAF also awarded Collins a $66.2 million Task Order for the first year of support, and fully-negotiated options for the second and third years of services and support valued at $114.6 million.

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The U-2 provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night, in direct support of U.S. and allied forces. It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, including peacetime indications and warnings, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities (Picture source: Collins Aerospace)

“Collins is proud to ensure the U-2 platform’s ongoing mission readiness with reliable and mature ISR assets that support USAF technology insertions, modernization and information dominance initiatives,” said Dave McClure, vice president and general manager of ISR & Space Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “These awards continue our 60+ years of unparalleled end-to-end sustainment support for the U-2 and our team’s commitment to the warfighter.”

The U-2S is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude/near space reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft providing signals, imagery, and electronic measurements and signature intelligence, or MASINT. Long and narrow wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics and allow it to quickly lift heavy sensor payloads to unmatched altitudes, keeping them there for extended periods of time. The U-2 is capable of gathering a variety of imagery, including multi-spectral electro-optic, infrared, and synthetic aperture radar products which can be stored or sent to ground exploitation centers. In addition, it also supports high-resolution, broad-area synoptic coverage provided by the optical bar camera producing traditional film products which are developed and analyzed after landing.

Collins Aerospace has a long, successful history of delivering the highest level of operational availability and performance for ISR missions. High altitude imaging is foundational to Collins Aerospace, and the Senior Year Electro Optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS)-2C sensor has continued to outperform other systems for decades.