BAE Systems has been awarded long term contracts worth a total of £39m by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide support services to ensure that Typhoon continues to maintain its ability to operate in all types of environments.
The development work covered by the contracts will enhance the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) capability to process intelligence information about operational threats and then upload this to Typhoon’s electronic warfare systems prior to the mission.
The data generation is undertaken at the Air-Warfare centre at RAF Waddington. This data is then assessed using a ground-based rig to simulate the aircraft’s operational environment at RAF Coningsby.
Martin Taylor, BAE Systems’ Combat Air Support Director says: “BAE Systems is proud to be awarded this significant contract which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to maintain Typhoon’s front-line capability. The contract will also allow us to continue to work as part of an integral team with the UK MOD and the RAF as well as sustain the essential skills of our workforce to continue the support of the Typhoon fleet.”
- BAE Systems also takes a major role in ensuring the availability of the Typhoon fleet to meet its standing and operational commitments. The contract, known as Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) aims to deliver best practice support solutions. The arrangement will see the RAF’s Typhoon aircraft maintained and supported by the Company until the end of 2013.
- A key requirement underpinning TAS is to drive the, reduction of Typhoon support costs over the lifetime of the jet. Working in partnership with the RAF and UK MOD, a range of innovative support solutions has been identified to maximise value and minimise costs.
- Although BAE Systems have had a presence at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, since 2004, the Typhoon Availability contract has expanded the BAE Systems population at the base to over 400 employees.
