BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 goes sub-zero in USA
29 Sep 2006
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida -- The new BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 has touched down at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, USA after its first transatlantic flight.
During a six week visit the aircraft, which is taking part in its first deployment outside of Europe, will be subjected to rigorous environmental trials, undergoing a series of intensive tests in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40OC to +45 OC.
Trials are being undertaken at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory, owned by the US Department of Defense and operated on a 24/7 basis by BAE Systems. Its main test chamber is the largest facility of its kind in the world. During testing, Nimrod MRA4 will be positioned on jacks and chained to the ground while its engines are run, to create the optimum conditions for work being carried out.
Using the McKinley Climatic Laboratory allows testing of Nimrod MRA4 systems at any temperature, simply by programming a computer. Conditions ranging from the bitter cold of Alaska to hot dry desert heat of Arizona or anything in between can be simulated. Engineers will also be running simulations of day/night cycles as well as testing under high humidity and solar radiation conditions.
Joe Harland, Managing Director of the Nimrod MRA4 programme at BAE Systems states: ““This is by far the most challenging deployment Nimrod MRA4 has undertaken. Our key objective is to demonstrate to our customer, the UK MoD, the maturity and reliability of the MRA4 at extremes of temperature. Everything is on a larger scale than anything we have done before, including the number of people, the duration and the technical complexity.”
A team of around 45 personnel from the UK-based Nimrod MRA4 joint trials team will be on duty during the testing – including the team of 12 who crewed the aircraft during its 15 hour transatlantic flight via the Azores and Brunswick in Maine, USA.
The team represents a range of disciplines, drawn mainly from BAE Systems, but also including Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA), Defence Quality Assurance Group (DQAG) and QinetiQ.
The Nimrod MRA4 is 94 per cent new build and will give the UK at least 30 years of adaptable capability in maritime reconnaissance and attack (land) operations. It will give the RAF an increased range (over the current Nimrod MR2) of 6,000 miles and 14 hours ‘loiter time’ without refuelling.
The aircraft’s integrated mission system enables crew to gather, process and display up to 20 times more technical and strategic data than the MR2.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded GB £15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information please contact:
Malcolm Adams, BAE Systems
Mob: +44 (0) 7971 11 44 83
malcolm.adams@baesystems.com
Lisa Hillary-Tee, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384934
Mob: +44 (0) 7801 718994
Lisa.hillary-tee@baesystems.com
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