IRST Block II Development

The Naval Air Systems Command, under the Department of Defense, awarded The Boeing Company a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the development and incorporation of the Block II Infrared Search and Track System (IRST) into F/A-18 E/F aircraft. Valued at approximately 89 to 90 million dollars, the project encompasses initial design and development, the procurement of prototyping hardware, technical risk reduction, integrated product support, and technical reviews to support the system through the preliminary design review. This effort was designated as a sole-source action because Boeing was identified as the only responsible source capable of meeting the FY2021 Initial Operational Capability date without unacceptable delays. The work is primarily performed in Orlando, Florida, which accounts for 86 percent of the effort, with the remaining 14 percent conducted in St. Louis, Missouri. The project was expected to be completed by April 2020. Administrative oversight for the contract was managed through the office in Patuxent River, Maryland, under solicitation number 20007-15 and NAICS code 334511.