ITT Exelis, BAE Systems and L-3 Form Joint Venture to Pursue U.S. Air Force Launch and Test Range Support Contract

April 17, 2012

A newly formed joint venture -- IBL JV, LLC  will bid on the U.S. Air Force Space Command’s planned Launch and Test Range System Integrated Support Contract, or LISC.

The team, comprised of ITT Exelis, BAE Systems and L-3, brings extensive experience in successful range operations and maintenance (O&M) and logistics. The joint venture teammates serve as the incumbents on the existing Air Force Spacelift Range System (SLRS) contract, delivering a strong combination of performance and value.

LISC will allow the Air Force to combine O&M and sustainment services of its Eastern and Western Ranges under a single contract. The move will effectively merge the Air Force’s SLRS contract, currently primed by Exelis, with the Eastern Range Technical Services and Western Range Operations Communications and Information contracts.

The LISC contract calls for program management, range O&M, sustaining engineering, logistics support and management, range instrumentation systems operations and engineering, hardware and software depot-level maintenance, downrange base operating support, and information assurance.

“The IBL joint venture team is already supporting Air Force ranges and sites from coast-to-coast and around the world. We bring more than 50 years of technically advanced O&M range experience and a proven track record of meeting performance and budgetary goals,” said Mike Wilson, president of Exelis Information Systems. “Our joint venture teammates and small business partnerships have been, and will continue to be, critical to our success in supporting the customer’s mission of sustaining our national defense.”

The Air Force’s Launch and Test Ranges provide the capability to deploy satellites that assure battle space superiority. They are home to missile launch facilities that enable testing and verification of both intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-based missile defense systems. Space launch activities at the ranges also enable interplanetary missions, accurate weather forecasts, and remote mobile and broadband communication.

“Exelis has contributed to more than 280 successful launches on the Eastern Range at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and the Western Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. since work commenced on the SLRS contract in 2000,” said Pat Carr, vice president and general manager of C3 Systems at Exelis. “We have a history of completing projects on time and under budget. With our IBL joint venture partners, we will be able to provide greater integration across both ranges.”

“Our team is a proven IBL partner, bringing extensive experience on ranges across the globe,” said Dave Herr, president of BAE Systems Support Solutions. “We provide best-in-class radar, telemetry and optical engineering, as well as technical support, logistics and depot repairs.”

“L-3 has a history of collaboration with our IBL joint venture partners on the SLRS contract. Our team has experience across the Eastern and Western Ranges and a legacy of delivering operational successes within budget,” said Les Rose, president of L-3 STRATIS.