U.S. Air Force selects KIHOMAC for AN/FPS-117 radar support

The United States Air Force has awarded a $32.4 million contract to KIHOMAC to provide contractor logistics support services for the AN/FPS-117 long-range radar system, according to an official award notice published February 27, 2026.

The contract was issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

The award covers sustainment services for the Atmospheric Early Warning System (AEWS) program and establishes a five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract, with an additional six-month extension option. The contract supports continued operation and maintenance of the AN/FPS-117 radar, a key ground-based air surveillance system used for long-range detection and early warning missions.

According to the award notice issued by the Department of Defense—referred to here as the U.S. Department of War—the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Atmospheric Early Warning System Program Management Office awarded the contract as a full and open competition procurement. No set-aside designation was used.

The total contract value, including base performance and all options, is listed at $32,400,000. KIHOMAC Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, will deliver Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services categorized under Product Service Code J059, covering maintenance, repair, and rebuild of electrical and electronic equipment components.

As stated in the award documentation, the contract provides logistics sustainment for the AN/FPS-117 Long Range Radar System. These services typically include system maintenance, technical support, supply chain management, repair coordination, and lifecycle sustainment activities designed to keep radar installations operational over extended deployment periods.

The United States Air Force uses the AN/FPS-117 radar as part of its fixed-site air surveillance architecture. Developed as a solid-state, L-band three-dimensional air search radar, the system is capable of detecting and tracking aircraft targets at long distances while operating with relatively low maintenance requirements compared with earlier radar generations.

In operational terms, the AN/FPS-117 provides continuous monitoring of airspace by scanning wide areas and generating real-time tracking data for air defense networks. The radar feeds command-and-control systems that help military operators identify airborne objects, distinguish between friendly and unknown aircraft, and support early warning decisions.

Because these radars often operate in remote or strategically positioned locations, sustainment contracts play a central role in ensuring uninterrupted availability. Contractor logistics support allows specialized industry teams to handle complex repairs, component replacement, and system upgrades without removing equipment from service for extended periods.

According to the award notice, the contract was issued by the Air Force Materiel Command through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Electronic Systems Directorate. The organization oversees acquisition and sustainment of command, control, communications, intelligence, and surveillance systems used across the service.

The AEWS program manages atmospheric and early warning radar capabilities that contribute to integrated air defense and situational awareness missions. These systems form part of broader sensor networks that support homeland defense and overseas monitoring requirements.

The AN/FPS-117 radar has remained in service for decades due to its modular design and upgrade potential. Rather than replacing entire radar installations, the United States Air Force has frequently relied on sustainment and modernization efforts to extend operational life while maintaining compatibility with modern command networks.