SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Three Huntsville defense companies are among 24 firms selected to compete for work under a U.S. Air Force contract with a ceiling of $920 million, reinforcing the Rocket City’s role in national defense and aerospace modernization.
Intuitive Research and Technology Corp., Suntest Systems and Torch Technologies were chosen for the Next-Generation Aerospace Ground Equipment contract, an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity vehicle that will support development and modernization of equipment used with military aircraft. Two other Alabama companies — ATAP of Eastaboga and PCI Aviation of Atmore — were also selected.
The Air Force received 66 offers in the competitive acquisition. The selected companies will compete for individual task orders rather than divide the full $920 million at the outset. Work is expected to continue through 2036.
The contract covers design, development, integration and testing of equipment supporting aircraft launch, recovery, operations and maintenance. Platforms may include fighters, bombers, tankers, airlift aircraft and unmanned systems.
For Huntsville, the selection adds to a steady stream of federal defense work tied to the city’s engineering and technology sector. Huntsville is home to Redstone Arsenal, major defense contractors and a growing network of small and midsize firms supporting military research, aviation, missile defense and logistics.
The award does not guarantee each company a specific dollar amount, but it gives the Huntsville firms the opportunity to compete for future orders as the Air Force updates equipment used across its fleet. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia is overseeing the contracting effort.