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Eurofighter Typhoon
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Finmeccanica subsidiary SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems received a GBP 850 million order (EUR $1.25 billion, USD $1.52 billion) to manufacture the EuroDASS Electronic Warfare suite for the second production batch of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. Work will extend to the last quarter of 2012.

The EuroDASS consists of Electronic Support Measures (ESM), a laser threat and missile approach warning system, an Electronic Countermeasures System (ECM), decoys, towed decoys, jammers and other sensors and avionics. The EuroDASS will display situational awareness information to the pilot.

Avionics Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems SpA is based in Florence and controls the companies Galileo Avionica and Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems Ltd. The two companies employ 7,600 people in total, including 4,600 at the Basildon, Luton and Edinburgh sites in the UK. SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems also leads the EuroDASS consortium, which also comprises Elettronica of Italy (which is 32% owned by Finmeccanica, and has a EUR 300 million share of the order), INDRA of Spain, and EADS of Germany. The EuroDASS consortium supplies the state-of-the-art defensive aids suite to the Eurofighter Typhoon.

This order, combined with the GBP 100 million (EUR 148.3 million) development contract awarded for EuroDASS earlier this year and a GBP 500 million (EUR 741.6 million) order to manufacture the CAPTOR radar system awarded in December 2004, brings the total orders awarded to SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems for Tranche 2 of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme to approximately GBP 1.5 billion (EUR 2.2 billion). Tranche 2 is the $16 billion second production order of 236 Typhoon aircraft for Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK under the Eurofighter Typhoon program.

Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Finmeccanica’s chairman and CEO said: “This important order underscores the rationale of Finmeccanica’s strategy to invest in the UK where we are now a major defence contractor. It also strengthens the company’s position in the electronic defence sector, a field which offers further interesting opportunities in international markets.”

Additional Readings & Sources

• Eurofighter Typhoon UK Official Site: Defenses

• Deagel.com – EuroDASS

• Finmeccanica Release (July 1, 2005): SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Secures 1.25 Billion Euros Eurofighter Order

• Defense World (May 19/05) – Selex Venture Boosts Finmeccanica’s Defence Electronics Business