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AWACS supplier settles false claims charges

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Aircrew members of an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron conduct a pre-flight check before takeoff during Vigilant Shield 15 on Oct. 23, 2014, at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The 963rd AACS provided battle management forces and mobile command control, and a communications radar element during training missions flown during the exercise. The Vigilant Shield field training exercise is a bi-national NORAD Command exercise which provides realistic training and practice for American and Canadian forces in support of respective national strategy for North America’s defense. NORAD ensures U.S. and Canadian air sovereignty through a network of alert fighters, tankers, airborne early warning aircraft, and ground-based air defense assets cued by interagency and defense surveillance radars. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew B. Fredericks)

A supplier of radio equipment to airborne radar aircraft has agreed to pay $2.8 million to settle False Claims Act allegations.

PoleZero, owned by Dover Corporation, provided radio frequency filters and integrated co-site equipment for E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. “The settlement agreement resolves allegations that from 2004-2013, PoleZero knowingly provided RF filters and [integrated co-site equipment]ICE equipment that failed to meet contractual specifications,” according to an announcement by the Department of Defense Inspector General.

PoleZero denied the allegations but settled the civil suit. A former PoleZero repairs department employee filed the suit under the False Claims Act’s whistleblower provision and will see a $504,000 payout.

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Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him at theuncommondefense.com. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.