Boeing's Tapestry Solutions division announced a 10-year, $259 million contract to provide Weapon Planning Software to the U.S. military and its allies.

Tapestry announced receipt of the contract on Tuesday.

The Defense Department referred to the contract as the development, enhancement and support of the WPS program, a core component within the Joint Mission Planning System architecture, for the U.S. Air Force in February. The WPS suite is the standard framework of applications for precision-guided munition planning in A-10, B-1, B-2, B-52, F-15E, F-16, F-22, F/A-18 and F-35 aircraft, bombers and fighter planes worldwide.

It uses a building block approach, identified as increments, to assemble Mission Planning Environment software for each aircraft type. When bundled, several levels of software become an MPE specific to each aircraft.

"We are looking forward on building on our partnership with the U.S. Air Force as we help to fulfill their mission planning needs with the WPS suite," said Debbie Churchill, Tapestry Solutions vice president. "It will ensure our customers have the critical data they need to get from mission plan to execution more efficiently with the use of faster, more powerful and intuitive weapons planning capabilities."

Work will be largely performed at Tapestry's facilities in St. Louis and in Niceville, Fla., and is expected to be completed by February 2029. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin AFB, Fla., is the contracting agent.

Sikorsky to offer King Stallion for German heavy-duty helicopter contract
Washington (UPI) May 29, 2019 - Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky division announced it will offer its CH-53K King Stallion helicopter in a competition to win a contract with the German air force.

A request for proposals for a heavy-lift helicopter is expected from the Bundeswehr, Germany's unified military force, during the summer, Sikorsky said on Monday. The "Schwerer Transporthubschrauber," or STH, program will require obtaining helicopters offering quick movement of troops and equipment.

Sikorsky is developing the King Stallion, the newest variant of its Super Stallion, or CH-53E, helicopter. Twelve were ordered in February by the U.S. Marine Corps, at a cost of $1.2 billion, with first deployment expected in 2023 or 2024. Over 1,400 test hours have already been recorded. The helicopter can externally lift up to 27,000 pounds.

The U.S. Navy is expected to order as many as 200 King Stallion aircraft.

"The CH-53K is the modern heavy lift solution that will provide the German Armed Forces with a safe, reliable heavy lift helicopter that can be entered into service seamlessly without need for upgrades for the next several decades," said Sikorsky President Dan Schultz in a statement.

"It is the only heavy lifter that will remain in production through 2032 and beyond. Our strong German industry team will provide sustainment and maintenance over the next 40-50 years ensuring high-quality jobs across the country for decades to come," Schultz said.

Sikorsky has business relationships with at least 10 major German technology companies which could serve as subcontractors, the company said.

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