Military

BAE SYSTEMS Receives Follow-On Contract For QF-4 Targets

20 May 2004

BAE Systems received a $17 million follow-on contract, April 11, from the U.S. Air Force for the QF-4 Full-scale Aerial Target (FSAT).

BAE Systems Flight Systems operations, located in Mojave, California, will convert at least 13 F-4E aircraft into QF-4 FSATs. The QF-4 FSATs are used for weapon system developmental, initial and follow-on operational testing and evaluation by the U.S. and allied militaries.

Much work was done - as part of this contract - to improve reliability and availability of QF-4s for our warfighters and testers, said Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Robertson, director of USAF Aerial Target Systems, Counterair Joint Systems Program Office, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. BAE Systems commitment, from the top down, to making significant changes in the sharing of program risk was instrumental in implementing a strategy to dramatically improve QF-4 availability rates, as well as take on full responsibility to address future obsolescence issues in a more cost-effective manner.

The aircraft are modified by integrating components that allow the system to perform unmanned manoeuvres at the Eglin Gulf Range and White Sands Missile Range (operating out of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and Holloman AFB, New Mexico, respectively).

Our warfighters deserve the best, said Paul Nafziger, BAE Systems Flight Systems vice president and general manager. Each new air-to-air and ground-to-air weapon is tested against our realistic target during its development. This ensures that new weapons have proven effective against a realistic threat before the warfighter uses them in combat.

The contract award reflects BAE Systems position as a leading aerial target and aerial target-services provider for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Work on the contract will be performed in Mojave and will be completed in 2006. Options to the contract could have the potential of a $230 million value over ten years. This is the third contract awarded to BAE Systems to produce and deliver FSATs to the Air Force since 1992.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of more than $20 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Flight Systems is part of Integrated Defense Solutions, headquartered in Austin, Texas. IDS employs more than 1,000 people at two major facilities in the United States. Products include network management software, chemical detection systems, mine countermeasure systems, aircraft modification and assembly, airborne target presentations, aircraft countermeasure dispenser systems, and mission equipment upgrades.

BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.