L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace has been awarded a $166 million U.S. Navy contract modification for support services for the T-45 Goshawk trainer aircraft.

The modification to a previously awarded, indefinite-delivery requirements contract exercises an option for organizational, intermediate and depot-level maintenance and logistics services in support of about 200 T-45 aircraft based at naval air stations in Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Maryland.

Services to be provided include sustaining engineering, supply and government property management and procurement of associated parts and materials required to prepare the aircraft for about 320 launches per day across four sites, which fly an estimated 75,000 hours per year.

The estimated completion date is September 2017.

Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

The Goshawk is a tandem-seat, carrier capable jet trainer for training Navy and Marine Corps pilots.

It is used for intermediate and advanced portions of the Navy and Marine Corps pilot training program for jet carrier aviation and tactical strike missions.