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Vote Of Confidence For Australian Expertise In Electronic Warfare

18 Aug 2004

Adelaide, South Australia 18 August, 2004 -- BAE Systems Australia has been selected as sole source provider to deliver a cutting edge Australian designed and developed radar identification system to the Royal Australian Navy, under a contract worth over $12 million.

David Gordon Electronic Warfare Systems Manager of BAE Systems Australia said, This is great news. BAE Systems was up against some very stiff competition from overseas companies and the fact that we have been appointed by the Navy demonstrates that it is cost-effective to design and develop Electronic Warfare systems here in Australia. The contract win further demonstrates our companys ability to support military self-reliance in Electronic Warfare systems in Australia.

PRISM, a Passive Radar Identification SysteM, is an electronic sensor that passively uses the electromagnetic spectrum to gain information about other parties on the battlefield, or in this case, the maritime operating environment. The Royal Australian Navys acquisition of PRISM proves once again Australias excellence in electronic warfare design and support, said David.

PRISM will be installed on the Navys new Armidale Class Patrol Boat and used to detect microwave radar frequencies such as those used by marine radars. The systems will help the Navy to know exactly who is in Australian waters. It will also help in tracking down illegal vessels such as fishing boats.

Importantly for the local economy, the sale of PRISM to the Navy will mean additional manufacturing, maintenance and ongoing support jobs in South Australia, explains David.

BAE Systems Australia has developed a family of PRISM systems operating on a variety of shipborne and land-based EW applications; a PRISM Air Defence (PRISM-AD) variant is in service with the Royal Australian Air Force, a PRISM 133 variant is installed on the Navys Fremantle Class Patrol Boat and the PRISM III variant is on Navys the Huon Class Minehunter Coastal vessels. Mr Gordon said, The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is able to significantly lower through-life support costs by having the PRISM product line deployed to multiple users across the Services by using common training, maintenance, test equipment and ongoing support systems.

The PRISM system will greatly enhance the navys ability to provide situational awareness and immediate warning of potential threats.

The PRISM III System is the latest generation of the BAE Systems Australia Limited PRISM product line. PRISM III provides the ability to automatically detect, direction find and classify emitters operating in the microwave frequency band and provides area surveillance and warning of potential threat emitters.

The system comprises two main assemblies; the Antenna Unit and Signal Processing Unit, with an optional Operator console Unit for specialist EW operator positions where required. The system also features a radar threat emitter library that can be easily programmed with specific and general radar types and provides the threat data necessary to engage Electronic Countermeasures such as chaff or active decoys.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems Australia employs approximately 2,600 people, supports customers at more than 50 locations across the country and has its centre of operations in Adelaide, South Australia. BAE SYSTEMS Australia designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, electronic systems, guided weapons and a range of other defence products, many of these with international partners. It has key skills in engineering and systems integration and is a leading supplier of electronic warfare, communications, military air support, software and support services to the Australian Defence Force.

BAE Systems Force Awareness and Protection designs, develops, integrates and supports electronic warfare systems, ground-based mission support for Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), High Frequency (HF) radar, weapon systems and integrated autonomous 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 has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.