Hughes Data Teams Up to Compete for Navy Contract : Defense: The subsidiary and 2 other firms seek $2-billion pact to supply 42,000 computer workstations.

Hughes Data Systems said Wednesday that it has teamed up with two other companies to compete for a $2-billion contract from the U.S. Navy.

The Hughes Aircraft Co. subsidiary, based in Irvine, joined forces with IBM’s Federal Systems Co. of Manassas, Va., and BTG of Vienna, Va., to vie for an opportunity to supply about 42,000 computer workstations for Navy ships and aircraft. The program, called Tactical Advanced Computer-4 (TAC-4), will upgrade the Navy’s communications and electronic warfare systems.

Already, Hughes Data Systems is the primary contractor for a similar but smaller project--the Navy’s TAC-3 program, a $170-million job installing about 4,000 computer workstations.

“We believe that our experience in this area, as well as the addition of IBM to our team, greatly increase our chances of winning the program,” said Dan Reeder, a spokesman for Hughes Aircraft.

Reeder said that Hughes Data Systems will beef up its staff if it wins the huge contract. “A program this size will demand that we add people,” he said. “However, I don’t think it will be a large number of new jobs in comparison to the number of jobs we’ve lost.”

Over the past three years, Hughes Aircraft has trimmed its Orange County staffs by about 2,500 people.

If selected for the TAC-4 program, Hughes Data Systems would serve as the primary contractor and program manager. IBM would provide workstations, systems integration and related hardware and software. BTG would provide after-delivery service and logistics support.