By Jim Jenkins
Aging Aircraft Public Affairs

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded WorkHorse Aviation Manufacturing in Kinston, N.C. its first ever contract for direct support to a Navy Depot repair facility.

The awarding of this contract to a small business is the culmination of the Aging Aircraft Integrated Product Team’s (AAIPT) effort in leveraging the success of ongoing Small Business Initiatives (SBI). WorkHorse is one of the companies taking advantage of the government/industry partnerships the Aging Aircraft team spearheaded in North Carolina.

The $93,000 contract is for 30 pylon brackets for C-130 aircraft, and has the potential to add an additional $40,000 should more aircraft require modification. The brackets will allow the C-130 to carry a variety of drones.

“The dollar amount of the contract may make it seem like it’s not a big deal, but these parts are going to fill a critical fleet need,” said Bob Ernst, AAIPT director. “This shows how we can use a small business to respond very quickly.”

Dr. Bob Polanowski, AAIPT Advanced Laser and Data Acquisition Center team lead, took a set of drawings and concepts, created the technical data package digital file, and sent it via e-mail to WorkHorse who will use the file to make a plastic prototype item for a fit check and follow-on production parts.

“This is a proof of concept for WorkHorse and the Global TransPark,” said Ed Hoffman, Vice President of Marketing with WorkHorse. “We can get a real time combat need, make a prototype item and turn it into a production item for our warfighters.”

This effort is a good example of how the AAIPT’s partnerships with small business can help reduce the costs of doing business as well as the time it takes from concept to reality of a finished product for the fleet.

“This concept allows us to get the parts out to the fleet a lot faster and easier,” Ernst said. “For Aging Aircraft and the Global War on Terrorism, that’s what it’s all about.”

Deadline for delivery of the parts is October 31 but Hoffman optimistically anticipates the first shipped set to be sent closer to the first of October.