The U.S. Air Force has announced an update to its Next-Generation Ejection Seat (NGES) programme, opening up competition for the F-16 platform and potentially extending this to other aircraft platforms in the future.
This decision follows analysis of industry feedback gathered from a Sources Sought notice issued in August 2024, which provided valuable insights and technical feedback from industry partners.
“The decision to re-open the competition underscores our commitment to continually assess our strategies to ensure we meet warfighter needs and timelines,” said Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. “By reassessing market conditions and fostering competition, we ensure industry delivers the best possible solutions for both current and future Air Force requirements.”
In 2020, the U.S. Air Force awarded a sole-source contract for the F-15 platform to Collins Aerospace based on prior market research and technological assessments. However, with new data and updated market research, the Air Force has opted to revise its acquisition strategy for the F-16 and F-22 platforms.
The re-opening of the competition will initially focus on the F-16, with a new request for proposal set to allow additional companies to compete for the NGES contract. This decision could eventually lead to a broader application across other platforms, such as the F-22 and B-1.
Despite this shift towards increased competition, the U.S. Air Force says it will continue its ongoing programme with Collins Aerospace for the development, integration, and fielding of the F-15 NGES.
Hunter mentioned the importance of remaining flexible: “Our priority is to stay flexible and responsive to emerging technologies while keeping existing programmes on schedule to meet operational needs.”
