Successful Engineering and Execution Keeps USAF AWACS Planes in the Air .

Customer:
United States Air Force

Customer Need:
Highly critical components of the ARC-169 UHF High Power Amplifier had been made obsolete prematurely by the Defense Logistics Agency. Repair parts were needed quickly to avoid grounding of radar planes.

Project Summary:
On August 7, 2001, a United State Air Force contract was awarded to Boneal for items applicable to the ARC-169 UHF High Power Amplifier. The items included a capacitor plate, a contact assembly, and a tune cavity tube assembly. Several factors made this acquisition challenging. First, none of these items were stock listed, and the Government had only part numbers, a rough drawing of each item, and a statement of work as a source of reference for the contractor. Secondly, the items are very difficult to manufacture due to having a number of holes and small teeth-like parts that must be spaced according to exact specifications. Additionally, each item had to be copper plated and gold plated, and the total thickness could not exceed .001 inches. There was also a great deal of soldering and casting involved. Although these items had been designated as obsolete by the Defense Logistics Agency because the original manufacturer had stopped producing them, there was still a requirement for them.

Result Summary:
Following contract award, Boneal shipped the first articles one month ahead of schedule. Production items were also shipped ahead of schedule. This achievement was recognized in the June 2002 issue of the Air Force - Small Business News Review

Click here to read the Air Force article (PDF)

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