Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has been awarded a contract by NATO AEW&C Programme Management Agency (NAPMA) for the maintenance of Human Machine Interface (HMI) software previously developed by KONGSBERG as a part of the on-going NATO AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) modernization program.
The contract is a 15 year framework agreement including maintenance and support in Kongsberg, on-site technical personnel at AWACS' main operating base in Geilenkirchen, Germany and licenses of the KONGSBERG software product SpiderUIS. The value of the contract is expected to exceed MNOK 160 over the 15 years period, with options of an additional MNOK 120.
KONGSBERG software engineers will take the role as local experts of the HMI software at the NATO AWACS maintenance organization. The team in Germany will be supported by an expert team in Kongsberg.
The foundation for the contract between NAPMA and KONGSBERG was laid in 1997, when the Boeing Company chose KONGSBERG to develop and deliver the HMI software for the modernization of the NATO AWACS aircrafts. The development phase is now ending and NATO will take responsibility for the maintenance of on-board and ground support systems. The new support contract forms a framework where KONGSBERG is well positioned to further enhance the system in close cooperation with the operational community.
"This contract strengthens KONGSBERG's position within military air surveillance and supports our strategic focus on products within military and civilian surveillance and security. It is also important for KONGSBERG regarding other international military air surveillance systems", comments Executive Vice President Odd Kyllingmark of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.