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U.K. MoD signs contracts and agreements for new RAF aircraft and weapons

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U.K. Ministry of Defence signs contracts and agreements for new RAF aircraft and weapons
UNITED KINGDOM - 29 MARCH 2010

A series of new contracts and agreements marking key steps towards the MOD's next generation of aircraft and air-launched weapons has been announced by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth today, Monday 29 March 2010.

In a move that will see industry work together on the development of the UK's air-launched weapons, known as Complex Weapons, the Defence Secretary announced that the MOD has entered into an interim Partnering Agreement with MBDA in the UK.

Building on the successful Assessment Phase, this co-operation within industry will help shorten the time from development to delivery of these weapons.

The MOD has also signed a £120 million contract with BAE Systems to maintain the UK's Hawk T Mk2 aircraft, known as the Advanced Jet Trainer, an aircraft essential for providing the modern training of fast jet pilots.

Progress is also being made towards the delivery of 22 new Chinook helicopters and the MOD has signed a contract with Boeing to begin the work necessary to deliver the first ten aircraft in 2012 and 2013.

Over the last 30 years, the Chinook has proved invaluable to commanders, most recently during operations in Afghanistan.

The MOD has also moved a step closer to its next generation of military transport aircraft, the A400M. Following discussions between Partner Nations and Airbus Military, an agreement in principle has been reached to pave the way for the next stage of the programme.

The A400M Partner Nations have reached a Heads of Terms agreement with Airbus Military, which will provide the basis for a formal contract amendment in the coming months.

Under the revised agreement, Airbus Military will deliver at least 22 aircraft.

The successful first flight of the A400M prototype aircraft on 11 December 2009 was an important milestone in this process.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"These commitments will enable the Royal Air Force to continue to provide essential airpower on operations. These projects demonstrate the MOD's commitment to providing our Armed Forces with world class equipment and support, as well as to sustaining the UK's defence industry. I am greatly encouraged by the progress made on the A400M programme."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff, said:

"The commitments being announced today are good news for the Royal Air Force. The RAF's air transport fleet is essential in supporting operations anywhere in the world, and the airlift capability offered by the A400M will allow us to move large items of essential military equipment - including attack helicopters and heavy vehicles such as Mastiff - directly into the battlezone.

"The Chinook helicopters have proven highly effective during operations over the last 30 years, just as they are in Afghanistan today. This contract will allow them to continue to provide battle winning air power on the front line, whilst the contract for the Hawk T Mk 2 will enable us to support the aircraft training future fast jet pilots for the Royal Air Force."


Source: U.K. Ministry of Defence
 
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MBDA and U.K. Ministry of Defence Agree Long Term Partnering Arrangement for Supply and Support of Complex Weapons
UNITED KINGDOM - 29 MARCH 2010

MBDA is pleased to announce it has agreed a long term partnering arrangement with the UK MOD for the development and supply of new Complex Weapons (CW) to the UK Armed Forces to counter current and future threats. Under the interim Portfolio Management Agreement (PMA-I), MBDA will lead the transformation of the UK’s CW capability through the management of a portfolio of projects potentially worth up to £4Bn over the next 10 years. As part of this arrangement, MBDA has signed a contract, worth £330M, for the first package of projects focussed on deployment of new military capabilities into Afghanistan. Over the next 10 years, as further military capabilities are added, this portfolio approach will deliver £1.2Bn of efficiencies for the UK MOD.

The initial contract will see MBDA deliver unique weapons capabilities that are directly relevant to today’s war fighting environment; Fire Shadow Loitering Munition (LM) for the British Army and Selective Precision Effects At Range (SPEAR) Capability 2, Block 1, for Royal Air Force fast jets, with both projects now moving into their respective Demonstration and Manufacturing Phases. The contract also requires MBDA to carry out further Assessment Phase work on SPEAR Capability 3 to equip the Joint Strike Fighter and Future Local Area Air Defence System (FLAADS) to equip the Royal Navy’s Future Surface Combatant. This is in addition to the ongoing Assessment Phase on Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon/Anti-Navire Léger (FASGW/ANL), in cooperation with the DGA, to equip UK and French naval helicopters.

The interim PMA is the culmination of MBDA and UK MOD joint working since the launch of Team CW in 2006 to transform the procurement arrangements for Complex Weapons to reflect the principles of the Defence Industrial Strategy and Defence Acquisition reform. MBDA has focused relentlessly on demonstrating that this new approach is affordable, responsive and flexible to the needs of the UK MOD whilst ensuring the very best in complex weaponry is made available to UK Armed Forces.

Steve Wadey, MBDA Executive Group Technical Director and Managing Director UK, responding to the good news, said:

“Complex Weapons are a fundamental component of UK military capability, providing our Armed Forces and their platforms with the assured battle-winning edge in operations. The Portfolio Management Agreement represents a major milestone and sets a benchmark for partnering between UK MOD and industry. MBDA will work together with UK MOD to transform the way these weapons are supplied and supported to deliver the best equipment to the front line, best value for money to the taxpayer and sustain a healthy UK industrial base.“

With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, MBDA has an annual turnover of €2.6 billion and an order book of €12 billion.


Source: MBDA
 
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BAE Systems Hands Over Last Viking MK2 to U.K. Ministry of Defence
UNITED KINGDOM - 29 MARCH 2010

Ashchurch, United Kingdom. – The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken delivery on time of the last of 24 BvS10 Viking Mk 2 mine-protected vehicles ordered from BAE Systems in July last year. The vehicles will be deployed to Afghanistan in the near future.

The fast-moving £21m programme was a response to new threats from insurgents in Afghanistan. The original more lightly armoured go-anywhere BvS10s - known as Vikings in British service - proved extremely successful because of their ability to provide the element of surprise in carrying the fight to the enemy. Before long they came under attack from improvised explosive devices and in response they were fitted with extra armour in Afghanistan under an urgent operational requirement.

Lessons learned from this urgent response were quickly incorporated into the parallel Mk 2 development programme which resulted in a vehicle with much-improved levels of protection, a larger and more powerful engine, and a bigger alternator which gives more electrical power. The steering unit has also been improved along with uprated suspension and brakes. Despite the extra armour, the Mk 2 fulfils all the original Viking requirements, such as the ability to swim.

At the handover ceremony this morning, BAE Systems vehicles managing director Jan Söderström commented: “The speed and success of this programme shows what close co-operation between determined partners can achieve. The MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support organization, the Defence Science & Technology Laboratory, our suppliers and BAE Systems worked together as one team, pooling complementary skills.

“The Mk2s will be a part of a coherent all-terrain vehicle fleet with a full support package in place to minimise the logistic footprint. The development was carried out under BAE Systems funding but this could not have been done without a collaborative, open relationship between all involved.”

France became the second customer for the BvS10 Mk2 in December last year when it ordered 53 vehicles. Deliveries for that order have begun. With options, the total value of the contract could reach €220 million for 129 vehicles. The Dutch bought 74 of the earlier BvS10 in 2005.


Source: BAE Systems




 
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BAE Systems To Support And Service Aircraft Countermeasures For U.K. Ministry Of Defence
UNITED KINGDOM - 14 APRIL 2010

BAE Systems will support and service aircraft countermeasures systems under a £16 million urgent-needs contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. The AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, or CMWS, integrates electronic warfare sensors to detect and defeat infrared-guided missiles. It has been credited with saving multiple aircraft from infrared-guided missiles.

CMWS is a passive missile detection and warning system. It consists of up to six electro-optic missile sensors, depending on aircraft type, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The sensors are installed around the aircraft to provide comprehensive coverage and constantly monitor for the signature of a missile. The ECU processes the sensor data and, if it detects an incoming missile, provides cues for countermeasures to defeat the threat missile.

“BAE Systems is a world-class electronic warfare systems supplier and it is recognised for delivering superior product support, training, and field service to its military customers,” said Squadron Leader Carl Jones, Missile Warning Systems Manager for the MoD’s Aircraft Sensors, Systems, and Platform Protection project team. “We’re confident that this partnership will ensure that UK aircrews have the protection they need to complete their missions.”

CMWS is fielded on more than 120 systems on UK rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, including the Chinook and Tornado. Under the new contract, BAE Systems will manage all facets of the supply chain to guarantee availability of CMWS equipment spares to men and women in combat.

“This programme will ensure that MoD rotary- and fixed-wing platforms have spare CMWS equipment available at their deployed operating bases every time they need it,” said Cindy Carpenter, Director of Global Survivability and Support Solutions for BAE Systems. “We’ve promised to deliver the CMWS spares within an hour of any request to ensure our customer has 100 percent mission availability, and our global product support team is committed to no less.”

Under the five-year, firm-fixed-price availability contract, BAE Systems will provide spare systems and accept returned equipment for depot-level repair in the United States. The programme minimises repair turnaround time, improves system availability, and will reduce total system ownership costs to the MoD. The contract also provides £1.5 million for spares equipment to support the program.


Source: BAE Systems
 
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