Post by corsair67 on Nov 14, 2006 10:03:23 GMT 12
Well the rumours have been flying about this for some time, so it doesn't come as too much of a surprise to me.
Nelson writes off $100m in radar deal switch
Patrick Walters, National security editor
November 14, 2006.
AFTER spending almost $100 million developing an Australian-designed radar warning receiver for the RAAF's FA-18 fighters, the Defence Department has instead chosen US technology giant Raytheon to supply the system.
BAE Systems had been developing the ALR 2002B system for the RAAF's front-line fighters but development problems with the integration of the system on the planes caused lengthy schedule delays.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said yesterday the department had concluded that while the BAE radar warning receiver had shown "great promise", the system could not be developed in time.
The Howard Government decided to go ahead with the ALR 2002B nearly three years ago, but decided to switch to Raytheon when it became clear that BAE Systems could not meet the installation deadlines of the new receivers.
"Ensuring the success of the extensive Hornet upgrade and Australia's regional superiority is the most important priority and requires us to progress with another, proven - option," Dr Nelson said.
The radar warning receiver, a key part of a billion-dollar upgrade of the Hornet fleet, allows the FA-18 to engage targets in high-threat environments.
He said working variants of the ALR 2002B system would be fitted to other military aircraft, including the Black Hawk and Chinook helicopter fleets.
Dr Nelson said he had been assured by the chief of BAE Systems Australia, Jim McDowell, that no jobs would be lost as a result of the contract switch to Raytheon.
Nelson writes off $100m in radar deal switch
Patrick Walters, National security editor
November 14, 2006.
AFTER spending almost $100 million developing an Australian-designed radar warning receiver for the RAAF's FA-18 fighters, the Defence Department has instead chosen US technology giant Raytheon to supply the system.
BAE Systems had been developing the ALR 2002B system for the RAAF's front-line fighters but development problems with the integration of the system on the planes caused lengthy schedule delays.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said yesterday the department had concluded that while the BAE radar warning receiver had shown "great promise", the system could not be developed in time.
The Howard Government decided to go ahead with the ALR 2002B nearly three years ago, but decided to switch to Raytheon when it became clear that BAE Systems could not meet the installation deadlines of the new receivers.
"Ensuring the success of the extensive Hornet upgrade and Australia's regional superiority is the most important priority and requires us to progress with another, proven - option," Dr Nelson said.
The radar warning receiver, a key part of a billion-dollar upgrade of the Hornet fleet, allows the FA-18 to engage targets in high-threat environments.
He said working variants of the ALR 2002B system would be fitted to other military aircraft, including the Black Hawk and Chinook helicopter fleets.
Dr Nelson said he had been assured by the chief of BAE Systems Australia, Jim McDowell, that no jobs would be lost as a result of the contract switch to Raytheon.