Boeing to Provide Harpoon Upgrade Program for Australia
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23, 2004 -- Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill announced that Boeing [NYSE: BA] will provide Harpoon Block II missile retrofit kits valued at approximately $20 million (US) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
"The Harpoon Block II will definitely expand the Australian Defence Forces ability to meet a wide range of missions, including a great improvement in littoral operations," said John Lockard, Boeing senior vice president of Naval Systems.
The Australians will install the Block II retrofit kits at their Orchard Hills facility in Australia. The ADF has used Harpoon Block I missiles since 1982, and they are currently employed on surface ships, submarines and aircraft.
The Harpoon Block II kit provides a new guidance control unit flight computer and a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna. When installed, the Harpoon missile has a more accurate navigation system and can be used for coastal target suppression.
The Block II missile incorporates key guidance technologies from two other Boeing weapons programs -- the low-cost, inertial measuring unit from the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); and the software, mission computer, integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System, and GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded-Response (SLAM-ER).
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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Contact Info:
Bill Barksdale
Boeing Communications
office: (314) 232-0860
mobile: (314) 707-3294
william.a.barksdale@boeing.com
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