BAESYSTEMS.com

Cosford, United Kingdom. - BAE Systems is sponsoring the opening of the Royal Air Force Museum's new National Cold War Exhibition at Cosford in Shropshire today. The exhibition, which is housed in a landmark building covering over 8,000 square metres, is the first to focus on the Cold War story and highlights some major aircraft, naval systems and armoured vehicles designed and manufactured by BAE Systems' predecessor companies. In addition, the Exhibition includes interactive displays focusing on key events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Airlift and the Space Race.

BAE Systems' proud heritage of innovation and technology is showcased in over 50-per-cent of the exhibits ranging from the English Electric Lightning aircraft, in service from 1950 to 1988, to the Scorpion light tank, introduced in 1973 by Alvis Vickers. Models of the Resolution Class nuclear submarines are also on display, the first of which, Resolution, was built by the Vickers Armstrong submarine yard at Barrow-in-Furness.

The Chairman of BAE Systems, Dick Olver said: "It is now over 15 years since the end of the Cold War and although we face very different threats today, BAE Systems is proud to continue its heritage of innovative design and technology for the men and women of our armed forces."

The end of the Cold War has led to very different design, support and upgrade philosophies being embraced by BAE Systems, as the result of new operational demands requiring greater flexibility and responsiveness from UK armed forces and their industry support infrastructure. These are outlined in the UK Defence Industrial Strategy.

Entrance to the National Cold War Museum is free and open to the public from 8 February 2007.

About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded 12 billion pounds (US22 billion dollars) in 2005, excluding the Group's former interest in Airbus.

For further information, please contact:
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934
Mobile: +44 (0)7801 718994
lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com

Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947

www.baesystems.com

Ref: 035/2006

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An original English Electric Lightning in the new Cold War Exhibition in Cosford.