Tornado F3 fires AMRAAM in USA
11 Jan 2006
The UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Tornado F3 Sustainment Programme (FSP), primed by BAE Systems, has achieved a significant milestone with the UKs first firing of the latest (C-5) variant of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) AIM-120.
The firing took place at the Naval Air Warfare Center range in Point Mugu, California in December using a Tornado aircraft of the RAFs Fast Jet Weapons Operation Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU).
The missile was released from the supersonic fighter, piloted by Simon Hargreaves, the former BAE Systems deputy chief test pilot, with navigator Flight Lieutenant Owen Harcombe from the FJWOEU, and successfully engaged a subsonic target. A second firing was completed the following day using a wholly RAF crew, Squadron Leaders David (Dick) Withington and Mark (Mario) Puzey.
The AIM-120C-5 has a longer new motor and revised software, significantly enhancing its capability. The decision to integrate the missile onto Tornado enhances the F3s capability, and allows it to use Typhoon AMRAAM stocks.
This first firing of an AIM-120C-5 by the UK was the culmination of 12 months co-operation between the Defence Logistics Organisation's Tornado Integrated Project Team (IPT), BAE Systems, other industry partners, and the FJWOEU.
The formation of a combined trials team at the FJWOEU at RAF Coningsby has been a fundamental part of the project.
Steve Millward, managing director of BAE Systems Tornado business said: Using the FJWOEU to conduct much of the trials and development flying, traditionally flown by industry, has not only reduced time and cost, but given us the opportunity for up-front evaluation, allowing us to incorporate minor changes and rapidly develop the best possible finished product."
BAE Systems and FJWOEU engineers and aircrew have worked well together, designing and embodying a number of service modifications to support the trials activity and in particular the firing. As an example, to allow an RAF aircraft to be used for the firing meant that camera pods had to be fitted. As these pods had only ever been flown on industry-operated aircraft a considerable amount of design and clearance activity had to be undertaken before they were cleared for flight on the FJWOEU aircraft."
The aircraft that performed the firing were loaded with a development standard of software, very close to the version that will be delivered at the end of FSP. This allowed an end to end view of the full missile performance, not just the release and will help deliver a speedy release to service of the weapons system.
BAE Systems is the prime contractor but QinetiQ also have a significant role, leading in a number of areas where their research and development expertise brings best value for money.
Air Commodore Simon Bollom, Tornado IPT Leader, said: This pioneering contract has set new standards of innovation through the application of lean engineering and rapid prototyping through partnering with industry and QinetiQ. The achievement of a weapons release, along with new radar and main computer software in under 12 months from contact award represents a new benchmark for technology integration.
With less than seven months to run, FSP remains on budget and on schedule to deliver significant capability upgrades, maintaining the Tornado F3s impressive capability."
Notes to Editors:
1. FSP (F3 Sustainment Programme) was awarded in Dec 04, for 25M (compared with circa 40M using traditional contracting methods) to BAE Systems Customer Solutions & Support. The programme involves QinetiQ, Raytheon, MBDA, SELEX (formally BAE Systems Avionics, Edinburgh), BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (formally AMS) and FLA. The F3 Sustainment Programme is delivering a number of upgrades and sustainment services as a single package. Enhancements to the current air defence missiles see the introduction of the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) to full operational capability in addition to the AMRAAM AIM-120C-5.
The programme also introduces a number of radar and on-board computer software changes that optimise the targeting of missiles through improved processing and aircraft display systems. The F3's suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) capability has been enhanced and retained post Operation TELIC for trials and development purposes.
2. The missile was procured for the MOD by the Defence Procurement Agency's Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile Integrated Project Team.
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:
Bob Bates, DLO Secretariat (Strike)
Tel: + 44 (0) 1480 52451 x7801 Mobile: + 44 (0)779 099 7285
Email:DLO Sec-StrikeCommOffr2@esair.dlo.mod.uk
Jon Bonnick, BAE SYSTEMS
Tel: + 44 (0)1772 854 636 Mobile: + 44 (0)780 171 4753
Email: jon.bonnick2@baesystems.com
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