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$36 Million Contract Awarded For Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Components

24 Aug 2005

BAE Systems Australia has been awarded a $36 million contract by Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson Arizona for the continued production of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) components. This contract takes the value of the ESSM business awarded to BAE Systems Australia to over $200 million.

This latest contract highlights the continued export success of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, said Jim McDowell, Chief Executive Officer for BAE Systems Australia. The Australian Governments decision to participate in the collaborative development of the ESSM has not only delivered a world-leading ship self-defence capability but has established Australian Industry as an integral part of the global supply chain for advanced missile systems.

Developed under a collaborative program between Australia, the United States, Canada and other NATO Nations, ESSM protects our warships against anti-ship missiles.

BAE Systems Australias Weapons Systems business in Melbourne is the lead Australian ESSM sub-contractor to Raytheon Missile Systems. BAE Systems Australia, ADI Limited, Hawker De Havilland and other members of the Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN), have designed, developed and manufactured many of the flight control and guidance elements of the missile. The program has created 200 jobs in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales and is expected to grow, having received forward production commitments until at least 2012.

The ESSM program, along with the Nulka Active Missile Decoy program, has established BAE Systems Australia as the leading capability provider of guided weapons and autonomous systems in Australia, said Jim. ESSM and Nulka enable us to maintain this capability and positions us well to support future autonomous systems projects such as JP129, the tactical unmanned aerial vehicle system for the Australian Army.

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, combat vehicles, 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 and 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 over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

For further information, please contact:

Shelley Mearns, BAE Systems Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 8 8480 7211 Mob: +61 (0) 402 890 760
Jo-anne Marshall, BAE Systems Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 8 8480 7842