Cubic Defense, a leader in advanced air combat training solutions, has secured a significant firm-fixed-price IDIQ contract from the United States Air Force (USAF). This sole-source contract encompasses essential Block 7 engineering upgrades and the delivery of 102 new P5 Pods, enhanced with the System Security Upgrade (SSU). The project is slated for completion by March 24, 2028.
The P5CTS SSU has been specifically designed to adhere to stringent security protocols while ensuring full interoperability with the internal encrypted P5 subsystems used in fifth-generation aircraft. The introduction of Block 7 capability allows clients to integrate updated mission data at the P5 Ground station, supporting advanced weapons and effects adjudication during training scenarios.
Russ Marsh, President of Cubic Defense, expressed pride in the collaboration with the USAF and its coalition partners, emphasizing the importance of delivering reliable, encrypted training methods: “Our solutions present a low-risk, flight-tested, National Security Agency-certified Type 1 multilevel encryptor. This technology facilitates controlled information exchange between various security domains on the P5CTS without necessitating changes to existing training operations.”
Cubic is partnering with Leonardo DRS as its principal subcontractor to manage all aspects of Block 7 and Pod deliveries. The enhancements offered by the P5CTS significantly bolster training quality for the USAF, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and allied forces. The system enables real-time transmission of time, space, and position information (TSPI) during training exercises, ensuring that warfighters can effectively train together on a unified platform.
This contract reflects Cubic’s commitment to providing cutting-edge capabilities that ensure the readiness of U.S. and coalition forces well into the future, with a focus on multi-domain training that can extend to 2040 and beyond.
