24/01/2008
Upgrade for the RAF`s Tornados and Harriers
The Royal Air force will spend £ 352 M for the upgrade of the Tornados and Harriers in two contracts with BAe Systems.
The upgrade will include secure communications, that will allow the pilots talk securely to air acontrollers on the ground, the AWACS survelliance platform as well as other combat aircrafts and new tactical data link that will send operational information in text format direct to the cockpit, enhancing the crew`s awareness of the surrounding situation and reducing the possibilities of friendly fire engagements.
The work for each kind of aircrafts will be done at RAF Cottesmore, for the Harriers, and at BAe Systems` site at Warton and integrated at RAF Marham for the Tornado`s fleet.
The combined cost of the programmes, including through-life support, is £548M. The contract values signed with BAE Systems are worth £99M for Harrier`s fleet and £253M for Tornado`s fleet.
Source: RAF
