By Richard Scott
Italy’s acquisition of the Joint Airborne Multi-Sensor Multi-Mission System (JAMMS) capability is taking its next steps after L3Harris Technologies (Greenville, TX) was awarded a contract for the modification of a first Gulfstream G550 aircraft.
Being acquired by Italy under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case with the US government, the JAMMS program will see two “green” G550 business jets modified with a comprehensive airborne intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, and electronic warfare (AIRSEW) suite. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, is contracting activity for the program.
The first of the two green Gulfstream G550 aircraft was delivered to the Italian Air Force at Pratica di Mare in March 2022. The award of a $72 million contract to L3Harris, confirmed on 31 March, covers engineering procurement and fabrication and subsequent modification of one Gulfstream GV-SP (G550) aircraft. Work will be performed at the company’s Greenville site and is expected to be completed by the start of June 2026.
The US State Department in December 2020 approved the FMS case for the AIRSEW mission systems procurement and integration on two Gulfstream G550 aircraft provided by the Italian Ministry of Defense. The mission fit includes the L3Harris Rio communications intelligence system, the Leonardo Osprey 50 active electronically scanned array radar, the L3Harris MX-20HD electro-optical/infrared system, and secure communications equipment (including satcom).
In November last year L3Harris Technologies was awarded a US$42.7 million contract by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group for the procurement of the JAMMS ground integration lab and training system. This portion of the program is expected to complete by the end of March 2025.
