BAE SYSTEMS TO REFURBISH ROYAL NAVY DART

BAE Systems Avionics Tactical Products of Plymouth, United Kingdom, has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to refurbish Sea Dart control equipment under an ongoing programme to prolong the service life of this key air defence missile.

The award covers the missile's control ring and its associated Rationalised Electronic Pack Control (REPC).

This contract is part of an ongoing overall missile refurbishment programme aimed at ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Sea Dart missile which forms part of the GWS-30 air defence system fitted on the Royal Navy's Type 42 vessels.

As part of the process, the company has initiated a review of the component replacement programme to ensure optimum value for money. A cost-benefit analysis is being undertaken, based on engineering assessments and customer-funded trials, with a view to introducing reduced mandatory part replacement schedules.

BAE Systems at Plymouth is also responsible for ad hoc repairs; post-design services and in-service support; the calibration, maintenance and refurbishment of associated MoD-held test equipment; and for integrated spares support of Sea Dart control equipment.

Background note

The Tactical Products Division of BAE Systems Avionics addresses the defence sectors of communications and information superiority, manoeuvre and precision engagement. It provides defence infrastructure and tactical communications capabilities, and uses a wide range of critical enabling technologies, products and systems to develop multi-layered solutions, which deliver platform differentiation on land, at sea and in the air.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems, formed by the merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems in November 1999, is the truly global systems, defence and aerospace company. BAE Systems employs more than 100,000 people, in nine home markets around the world and has annual sales of some £12 billion. The company offers an unrivalled global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs and manufactures civil and military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products.