MIN 38/97 Tuesday, 18 February, 1997
BRITISH AEROSPACE AUSTRALIA WINS RADAR CONTRACT
The Minister for Defence, Mr McLachlan, announced today that British Aerospace Australia (BAeA) had won a new development contract with the Department of Defence.
Mr McLachlan said the company had signed a $20 million contract to complete the engineering development of the new ALR-2002 Radar Warning Receiver to be installed in the RAAF's F-111 aircraft.
"Replacing obsolescent equipment, the ALR-2002 Radar Warning Receiver will provide the Australian Defence Force with significantly improved radar detection capabilities," he said.
"Its development demonstrates that Australian industry has the potential to develop sophisticated electronic warfare technology which will be applicable across all elements of the ADF in the future.
"Australian industry will be involved in all aspects of the project, with both hardware and software provided from Australian sources," the Minister said.
Mr McLachlan also announced that British Aerospace Australia had been selected as the preferred tenderer for a project to upgrade navigational training equipment.
The project (Air 5232) revolves round the RAAF's School of Air Navigation (SAN) at East Sale in Victoria. The school uses HS748 aircraft from No 32 Squadron and is responsible for training Australian and New Zealand air force navigators and Royal Australian Navy observers.
Mr McLachlan said the project would involve new radar and navigation training suites in the aircraft and a ground-based synthetic navigation trainer. The aircraft modifications are planned to start in 1999 to coincide with the installation of the ground-based trainer.
The Minister said Australian industry would also have an opportunity to be involved in the development, installation and management of the new equipment.
"The upgraded equipment will ensure we retain the lead in this sort of training within our broader region."
Further information:
Ministerial
Jim Bonner Ph 08-82377130 or 0419 438490
Departmental
Richard Hogan Ph 06-2652913 (b/h) 06-2958171 (a/h)