U.S. Air Force Awards $9.36 Million Contract for Purchase of up to 18,000 iPads

The U.S. Air Force awarded a $9.36 million contract for the purchase of up to 18,000 iPad 2s, reports Bloomberg. This marks one of the military's largest purchase of tablet computers.

Executive Technology Inc was awarded the contract and will use the tablets to replace paper manuals and navigation charts carried by pilots and navigators, announced Air Mobility Command.


"Aircrews fly nonstop worldwide missions and require access to flight publications both on and off the aircraft, throughout all phases of flight," said Captain Kathleen Ferrero.

The so-called electronic flight bags will help crews operate more effectively and safely, and support the Pentagon's efficiency goals, she said. Air Mobility Command, based at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, provides transport and refueling services to the U.S. military using C-5, C-17 and C-130 cargo planes and KC-10 and KC-135 tankers.

The command is purchase iPad 2s that retail at $599 (32GB WiFi) for $520 a device. The contract allows for the purchase of up to 18,000 devices within a year; however, the quantity is contingent on funding requests and approval.