14 October 1996
The selection of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon E-Systems as potential prime contractors follows an evaluation of responses to a world-wide Invitation to Register Interest in the AEW&C Project. The four short-listed companies will be invited later this year to respond to a Request for Proposals.
Although two of the companies, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, have recently announced an intention to team for this project, both have asked to be considered separately until their teaming arrangements have been finalised.
The Minister has said that he was pleased with the quality of responses to the initial invitation, and in particular with the level of interest in the project displayed by Australian companies in acting as subcontractors and in the through-life support of the system.
He stressed that involvement by Australian Industry in the project would be a key factor in the further development of an AEW&C capability.
Announcement of the short-list is a significant step forward in the acquisition of this important aircraft system.
AEW&C aircraft, comprising long-range radars, sophisticated mission processing equipment and communications, will provide an enhanced wide-area surveillance capability as well as the ability to coordinate and control the operations of ADF surface and air units. The number of aircraft required will be determined once the performance and cost of potential competing systems are known.