Missile Defense Agency extends contract to upgrade sensors on HALO aircraft

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is pushing forward with work to upgrade sensors on three aircraft used to collect infrared data during ballistic missile defense tests. Work to upgrade the sensors experienced “COVID-related impact” issues, MDA said in contract documents released Friday.

In addition to COVID-related delays, the agency highlighted the rescheduling of integration tasks, acceptance testing, and supply chain issues delayed progress. Known as task order HQ0147-19-F-0039, the contract had a period of performance (PoP) ending Dec. 29, 2023.

“Additional time is required to complete three Next Generation Sensor Systems,” MDA said.

The agency wants to replace the primary electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors currently in use on their HALO-II and HALO-IV aircraft with HALO Next Generation Sensor (NGS) systems. The planes are airborne during MDA missile defense tests to collect electro-optic and infrared data.

“No new work is being added to the contract,” MDA said in a Justification and Approval (J&A) document requesting the contract extension. “This J&A requests approval to extend the PoP end date to May 1, 2024. The cost of the extension/overrun is ~$1.5M.

“The sole purpose of the PoP extension and upward cost adjustment is for the contractor L3Harris AEROMET to complete NGS systems with the goal of aircraft delivery. If the work were recompeted at this point, the new contractor would have to perform work already done under this contract.”

The Missile Defense Agency Competition Advocate approved the contract extension.