British Aerospace, Boeing Win Nimrod Upgrade Contract

SEATTLE, July 25, 1996 -- Michael Portillo, the United Kingdom's secretary of state for Defence, today announced that the government has selected British Aerospace (BAe) and The Boeing Company to replace the country's fleet of Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).

The contract, valued at about $3 billion, calls for the team to upgrade 21 aircraft and equip them with new mission equipment and engines under an effort called the Replacement Maritime Patrol Aircraft (RMPA) program. The contract value of the work performed by Boeing is expected to be in excess of $600 million.

The first operational Nimrod 2000 aircraft _ the name of the British Aerospace-Boeing solution _ will be delivered in 2001, with the last aircraft delivered five years later. The contract includes development, production, post-delivery support and full training capability.

British Aerospace Defence's Military Aircraft Division is the prime contractor and will oversee the upgrade effort. BAe's contributions include structural upgrades such as new wings, general and flight avionics, new Rolls Royce engines and system integration.

Boeing is the tactical command system integrator, and will provide system elements derived from its successful Indonesian 737 Surveiller MPA program. Carrying a suite of improved mission avionics, 737 Surveiller aircraft have provided maritime patrol and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surveillance since 1993.

The Boeing-developed tactical command system (TCS) combines high-speed data processing, color high-resolution displays, and software-configurable controls to process and display data from several types of sensors. These include an advanced surveillance radar, electronic support measures, acoustic surveillance systems, electro-optics and a magnetic anomaly detector.

In addition, the TCS integrates, controls and displays data from self-defense, communication and armament control systems. It also enhances mission completion success by reducing operator workload and promoting crew coordination with reconfigurable workstations.

"We are pleased with the Ministry of Defence's selection of the British Aerospace solution for this important defense program, and see this as a vote of confidence for the UK's aerospace industry, " said British Aerospace Chief Executive Richard Evans. "The strong working relationship between Boeing and BAe formed during the pursuit of this opportunity has resulted in this significant contract award. We find this most gratifying."

"This win reinforces our position as a leader in the maritime patrol community and reaffirms our long-term commitment to the United Kingdom," said John Dempster, vice president-general manager of the Boeing Information & Electronic Systems Division. "The collaboration between BAe and Boeing enhances the technology bases of both countries and we see significant worldwide export potential for both replacement airframes and modern mission avionics."

As part of the contract, Boeing has agreed to a 100-percent offset commitment to the United Kingdom over the next 10 years, with the majority of the work performed at British Aerospace's facility in Warton, England. About 100 people from Seattle will be assigned to the project during its peak in 1998.