Rapid Fire 2010-07-07: UK Defence Exports

• Weapons Bazaar: Pentagon comptroller says spending on weapon systems, such as fighter aircraft, ground vehicles, ship construction, satellite systems, and UAVs, will grow by 2% to 3% per year through 2016.

• Research and Markets: UK defense exports held steady in 2009 compared to 2008 at slightly over US$1 billion.

• Multiband Radios: Montreal-based Tactical Communication Systems, a unit of UK-based Ultra Electronics Holdings, gets $650 million US DoD contract to supply high capacity line of sight multiband radios.

• Lead Yard: General Dynamics Electric Boat snags a US Navy contract worth up to $881 million to provide lead-yard services for SSN-774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, similar to a contract GDEB won in 2005.

Qantas Will Keep Supporting RAAF’s C-130H Fleet

RAAF C-130H, Iraq

On July 5/10, Australia’s DoD signed a new 3 year, A$ 136 million (about $114.3 million) contract with Qantas Defence Services for ongoing maintenance and support of the RAAF’s 12 C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft, including its T56 turboprop engines. The RAAF’s new C-130J-30s use a different engine from Rolls Royce, and they are covered by a separate maintenance contract; but the RAAF’s 18 AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft also use the T56 engine. AP-3C engine work will be covered under this C-130H accord, as an ancillary contract outside the AP-3C TLS program.

The new contract continues an arrangement that has been in place since 1999, and will support 200 jobs based at RAAF Base Richmond. There will be some change, however – Gerry Roberts is about to retire from his C-130 program manager role at Qantas Defence Services, a branch of Australia’s national airline. Australia DoD.