UK’s “Contracting for Availability” Adds Hawks, Looks Ahead
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British efforts to move toward a new way of supporting their aircraft have involved through-life umbrella maintenance contracts based on availability rather than hours or spares. It is a model that Britain is using for several weapons platforms, and with the recent B-2 bomber contract it is even beginning to take hold in the USA.
In recent days, the UK MoD and BAE Systems have taken a pair of steps to extend that model. One step is a recent GBP 74 million contract (currently about $145 million) that introduces the concept to Britain’s fleet of 131 Hawk T Mk.1 trainer aircraft.
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The Hawk-T Mk.1 is currently used at RAF Valley for fast-jet pilot advanced flying training with No 208 {R} Squadron and weapons and tactical training on No 19 {R} Squadron; by No 100 Squadron at RAF Leeming for advanced fast-jet weapons systems officer training and operational support- flying; and RNAS(Royal Naval Air Station) Culdrose which will be added from April 2008. The team will provide fleet and supply chain management, forward and depth maintenance, and technical support. In addition, a spares availability service will be provided to RAF Scampton, home of the RAF’s famous Red Arrows Aerobatic Team, and to the MoD at Boscombe Down. Some of these aircraft will be replaced when Britain begins taking delivery of its Hawk Mk.128 LIFT aircraft in 2008.
As the prime contractor, BAE Systems will work in a close partnered relationship with the UK MOD, the Royal Navy, the RAF and industry partner Babcock Defence Services. Where this contract breaks new ground is that in that forward (i.e. flight line) operations are being directly supported by BAE Systems personnel.
The UK MoD estimates that this contract will save GBP 18 million in support costs over the its 4 year period. See UK MoD release | BAE Systems release.
A few days later, on March 1, 2007, BAE Systems and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed of a Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) Foundation Contract covering the support and upgrade of the UK’s current and future fixed wing aircraft fleet.
The end-state goal is an eventual binding agreement between us that will provide effective through-life support to the RAF’s entire fixed wing fleet for front line service.
Updates and Follow-ons:
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Feb 6/09: BAE Systems announces 2 UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts worth GBP 119 million. Under CAPS (Commodity Availability Procurement Strategy), the current ATTAC Tornado contract is amended to include key primary warning and defensive protection equipment for both the Tornado GR4 and Harrier fighter fleets. At present, key commodity items are managed by individual Integrated Project Teams within the UK MoD; CAPS will transfer those responsibilities to BAE. The UK MoD expects it to result in savings of about GBP 20 million.
This first availability service contract, worth GBP 103.5 million, will see BAE Systems assume responsibility for the provision of spares and repairs, and technical, software and test equipment support for a range of Electronic Counter-Measures (ECM) equipment.
A second GBP 15.5 million contract will provide wheel, tire and brake service across the Harrier, Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol, Hawk trainer, and VC10 tanker/transport fleets.
Work will be carried out at Sealand in North Wales, Edinburgh in Scotland, Luton north of London, RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, and RAF Marham in Norfolk. BAE Systems and the UK MOD will continue to develop CAPS, in order to cover other commodity items that will support in-service aircraft. Ultimately, the UK MoD believes that CAPS could cover up to 73,000 stock items. UK MoD | RAF | BAE Systems.
