BAE Systems Investor Brief - November 2005
02 Dec 05
In This Month’s Brief:
- Partnering Principles Agreement signed
- Typhoon update
- JSF/ASRAAM update
- PAAMS (Principal Air-Air Missile System) Long Range Radar
- Astute Command Deck shipped
- South African Gripen makes its maiden flight
- Tornado ATTAC proposal
Major Contract Awards this Month
- Upgrades to Mk 13 Guided Missile Launching System
- Electromagnetic Rail Gun Technologies Development
- FV430 Powertrain Upgrade
General News
New facility in Herndon, Virginia
On October 28, employees and customers gathered in Herndon, Virginia, for the ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate BAE Systems Information Technology’s new Information Analysis Center.
In only twelve months, the building went from floor plan to occupancy– an amazing accomplishment in such a short period of time. Mid-Atlantic Construction Magazine, a highly regarded construction publication, recognized BAE Systems as the 2005 Award of Merit recipient in the Interior-Fit-Out category.
JETEYE™ Systems takes first flight
Electronics & Integrated Solutions achieved a major milestone on November 10 in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Counter-MANPADS Program with first flight of its laser-based infrared countermeasures system on a commercial airliner.
The successful flight took place at Fort Worth (Texas) Alliance Airport. The commercial airliner missile protection system, called JETEYE™, is currently installed and being flight tested on a Boeing 767 aircraft. The tests are part of the DHS evaluation of the system’s performance against multiple missile threats.
Platform Solutions wins award
Platform Solutions has received a Supplier Recognition Award from Boeing for cost reductions on the Primary Flight Computer and Actuation Control Electronics (ACE) units on the 777 aircraft.
The award is part of Boeing’s 2005 Total Cost Management program. Platform Solutions has a contract to supply Boeing with ACE units through 2012.
Major Programmes Updates
Partnering Principles Agreement signed
The UK Chief of Defence Logistics and the Managing Director of BAE Systems Land Systems have signed a document setting out the Partnering Principles between UK MoD and Land Systems for the provision of general munitions (i.e. conventional, non-guided munitions ranging from Small Arms Ammunition, through medium caliber to large caliber such as 155mm shells).
A large proportion of these munitions are currently provided under the terms of a Framework Partnering Agreement (FPA) between MoD and Land Systems.
Project MASS (Munitions Acquisition, the Supply Solution) is currently looking at how MoD might best ensure long term security of supply for general munitions and is working with BAE Systems to look at how the existing FPA might best be taken forward, through a program of mutual cooperation to achieve a mutually beneficial solution.
Typhoon update
A new flight test facility has been commissioned which will allow a large area of the North Sea to be used for flight trials requiring telemetry monitoring.
Previously such trials have been limited to the local Irish Sea test areas or have required the detachment of a Mobile Ground Station (MGS) and a team of engineers. The new facility links the MGS directly to the fixed Ground Station at Warton.
JSF/ASRAAM update
The first tranche of ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile) for support to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) integration contract has been completed. ASRAAM is the UK’s choice of short-range missile for JSF, through the 2020s, and into the 2030s.
The first tranche of missiles comprises dummy air training missiles, ballistic (non-guided) telemetry missiles and full guidance telemetry missiles.
PAAMS (Principal Air-Air Missile System) Long Range Radar
In November, the Long Range Radar (LRR) design dossier, DD3, has been delivered to the tri-national customer, exactly on schedule. This is a significant event as DD3 reflects the full “as qualified” build standard and thus is a mark of high level of technical maturity achieved with this development.
Astute Command Deck shipped
Shipping of the command deck module into the hull of the first of class Astute submarine has been started three months ahead of schedule. This is the latest in a series of achievements ahead of schedule, aimed at de-risking delivery in August 2008.
South African Gripen makes its maiden flight
The first South African dual seat Gripen took to the skies on its maiden flight in Sweden on Friday 11 November 2005. This aircraft will now undergo a thorough inspection and systems computer interrogation before being prepared for subsequent flight tests commencing later this month.
It will be transferred to South Africa in August 2006, where it will participate in a flight development program focused on the integration of South Africa’s customized avionics and weapons systems.
South Africa’s 28 Gripen fighters, ordered from BAE Systems-Saab in 1999, will be delivered progressively from March 2008 until 2012.
Tornado ATTAC proposal
The Tornado team submitted its costed proposal for ATTAC (Availability Transformation: Tornado Aircraft Contract) in October in line with the plan.
ATTAC is a ten-year, whole-aircraft availability contract that will see BAE Systems take prime responsibility as the provider of Tornado depth support, incentivised to provide defined levels of capable aircraft, spares, technical support and training to the front line, and upgrade the aircraft to meet future operational requirements.
Major Contract Awards this Month
Upgrades to Mk 13 Guided Missile Launching System
BAE Systems was awarded a $3.8m contract by the Royal Australian Navy on 19 October 2005 for design modification to the Mk 13 Mod 4 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS).
The purpose of the contract is to design Ordnance Alteration (ORDALT) kits for the Mk 13 Mod 4 GMLS to shoot the advanced Standard-2 missile. The Royal Australian Navy is preparing their FFG 7 class of guided missile frigates to accept the new missile and this is a critical step in accomplishing that goal.
Electromagnetic Rail Gun Technologies Development
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded a $1.4m contract to BAE Systems for the development of Electromagnetic Rail Gun technologies for use aboard U.S. Navy combat ships. The contract was awarded on 14 October for research over the next six months.
Contract to overhaul M88A1 Recovery Vehicles
U.S. Army, Anniston Army Depot funded a requirements contract for $29.6m in order to purchase long lead material for a 126 vehicle contract expected to be awarded by the end of the year.
Land and Armaments Steel Products Division line of business includes the upgrade and overhaul of tracked combat systems. It was awarded a 3 year Combat Vehicle Sustainment Support Requirements contract in April 2005 for the M88A1 Recovery Vehicle, the M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer, the M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicle, and the M9 Armored Combat Vehicle M9ACE.
FV430 Powertrain Upgrade
Land Systems received a contract award from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to upgrade the powertrain of 500 FV430 series vehicle for the British Army.
Valued at £80m, the contract covers the upgrade of the engine, transmission, transfer box, electrical installation of the system, braking system and associated cooling group for the FV430 series of vehicles.
