BAE Systems Wins Hornet Usage Monitoring Contract

21 April 2011

F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet of the RAAF (photo : Australian DoD)

BAE Systems Wins Usage Monitoring Contract to Support Australia’s F/A-18 Hornet Fleet

Newcastle, Australia – BAE Systems has secured a new contract to provide vital usage monitoring services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

The three-year contract, with extension options, is valued at approximately $3 million and will support 10 jobs at Williamtown in NSW and Richmond in Victoria.

Under the contract, BAE Systems will gather, track and report fatigue-related information about the Hornet’s airframe and engines using an unique, Australian-developed Maintenance Diagnostic and Service Life Monitoring System.

BAE Systems Australia has also developed a suite of diagnostic software tools that provide the RAAF with the capability to conduct detailed investigations into generic aircraft operational characteristics, and into the causes of specific aircraft incidents.

In 2008, BAE Systems was selected to develop a similar capability for the RAAF’s new fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Aerospace Business Unit Director John Monaghan said the Hornet Usage Monitoring contract was a crucial element of ensuring that the F/A-18 Hornet fleet remains the backbone of Australia’s tactical fighter capability.

“Leveraging our unique system will give the RAAF and Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) the data required to make informed decisions on the F/A-18 fleet to ensure it remains viable until the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into service.”

BAE Systems Australia has delivered comprehensive airframe and engine fatigue monitoring services for the RAAF’s Hornet fleet since 1983.

Since 2009, BAE Systems Australia and L-3 MAS Canada have also been providing long term maintenance and modification support for the RAAF’s Hornets.

(BAE Systems)