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Performance-based eurofighter support system goes live

20 May 2002

Payment for Eurofighter spares and repairs will be linked to supplier performance, thanks to a BAE Systems-IFS support system which is now active, following three months of rigorous factory acceptance testing involving all four partner nations.

This, the first phase of Eurofighter's complex Industrial Exchange and Repair Service (IERS) project, is designed to improve aircraft availability whilst reducing investment in spares. It will provide the tools to allow the Eurofighter nations to track critical parts on the operating base or aircraft and through the industrial repair loop and transportation system. Phase 2, due to be delivered in mid-summer, will provide external interfaces to associated software systems including Eurofighter's Engineering Support System (ESS) and reference database.

Payment for the exchange service will be linked to the supplier's performance against repair service mean waiting times. These in turn will be set against the number of defects per flying hour. Payments and/or penalties for individual equipment suppliers will be linked to agreed performance measurement criteria.

This groundbreaking system is being installed in four countries across all of the Eurofighter national air force operating bases, partner companies, 60+ suppliers and Eurofighter GmbH itself. The system, which will be the interface between industry and the Eurofighter air forces, will also manage engineering data associated with equipment repair. It will also link up to each national air force IT system, as well as the aircraft's own ground support system (ESS).

Simon Dowler, Managing Director of BAE Systems-IFS, said: 'Delivering the Eurofighter support system on time is a major success for us and we look forward to continuing our key role in supporting Eurofighter Typhoon when it enters service with the four nations.'

BAE Systems-IFS, a joint venture between Swedish software house IFS and BAE Systems' Customer Solutions & Support group, is responsible for the complete system delivery including hardware supply, installation and support. The software is based on IFS's core 2001-3 ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) product that has been customised to Eurofighter's particular and exacting specification.

The IFS Applications software is an integral part of the four-nation Eurofighter support infrastructure. It forms the backbone of the Alternate Service Delivery programme whereby suppliers will be paid for a 'rotable' exchange or repair service as opposed to the traditional method of aircraft operators ordering, receiving and stocking spares.