V2X has secured a $747-million maintenance contract for the US Navy’s F-5 Tiger light supersonic training aircraft.
The agreement supports the navy’s objectives to provide “critical support and operational readiness” for the fleet, which has been operational since the early 1970s for tactical applications and real-world simulations.
Work on the aggressor-training aircraft will incorporate a “comprehensive scope of services” at multiple locations in the US.
The firm-fixed-price deal will cover tasks through November 2028 with an option to extend until 2031.
“We are honored to have been selected for this critical endeavor, further solidifying our dedication to providing industry leading support for our nation’s defense,” V2X President and CEO Jeremy Wensinger stated.
“We look forward to leveraging our expertise and capabilities to ensure the operational excellence of the F-5 aircraft and, by extension, the readiness of the US Navy and Marine Corps.”
The Tiger Aircraft
The US Navy’s latest F-5 Tiger variant measures between 47 and 51 feet (14.3 to 15.5 meters) long and has a wingspan of 26.8 feet (8.1 meters).
The aircraft is powered by twin General Electric afterburning turbojet engines with a thrust of 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) each.
It has a top speed of Mach 1.64 (2,025 kilometers/1,258 miles per hour), a service ceiling of more than 50,000 feet (15,240 meters), and an operational range of 2,314 miles (3,724 kilometers).
Earlier versions were equipped with conventional and nuclear weapons, air-to-air beyond visual range and short-range missiles, and precision-guided bombs.
F-5 Upgrade
In 2022, North Carolina-based US defense contractor Tactical Support partnered with L3Harris to modernize the F-5 aircraft into a fourth-generation platform.
The project involved 21 F-5E variants purchased from Jordan in 2017. Integrations include new electronic warfare suites and advanced airborne navigation systems.
