CPI Aerostructures is supplying the U.S. Air Force with structural modification kits to enhance the capabilities and safety of T-38C Pacer Classic III aircraft.

The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the kits was issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and is worth $49 million.

The contract is for Phase II of the modernization of the aircraft and involves the supply of 74 kits. CPI Aerostructures will conduct kit integration, program management, logistics and discrepancy reporting and resolution.

"This new military contract comes on the heels of our $53.5 million F-16 wing components contract announced just three months ago, and re-establishes CPI Aero as a leading prime contractor of aircraft structural components and kits to the U.S. government," said Douglas McCrosson, president and chief executive officer of CPI Aero.

"Our recent F-16 contract and this new T-38 contract are the two largest military programs received directly from the U.S. government in more than a decade and in the aggregate add over a $100 million to our total backlog."

The T-38C is a twin engine, two-seat, supersonic jet trainer.

CPI Aerostructures said the structural modification kits will replace vital, fatigue-sensitive structural items. Included will be steel dorsal longerons, cockpit longerons, and upper/lower center longerons.

The CPI Aerostructure contract will support the T-38C PC III aircraft structural modification program during Phase II. Requirements for Phase I are being fulfilled by Northrop Grumman Technical Services.