WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES TO SUPPORT AVAILABILITY OF TYPHOON AIRCRAFT ARE OPENED
CONINGSBY – UK, The opening of the Typhoon Support Centre and the Typhoon Maintenance Facility at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 30th September 2009, marks the official start of the Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) for which BAE Systems will take a major role in ensuring the availability of the Typhoon fleet to meet its standing and operational commitments.
BAE Systems Military Air Solutions was awarded the five year circa £450 million contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) in March this year for initial delivery and further development of the Typhoon Availability Service. The TAS solution will make Typhoon more affordable by reducing the future predicted support costs. Over the last six months, members of the BAE Systems team, along with their MOD DE&S and RAF counterparts, have put in place all the necessary elements of the TAS implementation to stand up the service.
The TAS contract draws on best practice and lessons learnt on previous UK MOD and BAE Systems support arrangement contracts. It underpins the Company's work to deliver service excellence to the armed forces by providing the best services, equipment and support solutions to meet ongoing operational requirements. It is also further evidence of the progress BAE Systems is making to establish a successful through-life business.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by senior MOD, RAF and BAE Systems personnel, Chris Boardman, BAE Systems Managing Director of Typhoon Mission Support & International Programmes said: "I am extremely pleased to be here today to celebrate not only the opening of these world-class facilities but also the standing up of the Service on the date we agreed with the Customer. This collectively demonstrates the maturity of the TAS solution and the quality of the partnering approach which has been taken by the joint team. I am delighted that we continue to support the Royal Air Force military objectives and help the MOD to reduce the cost of supporting the Typhoon fleet.”
The Head of Typhoon Team, Air Commodore Chris Bushell, said: “This contract is the culmination of a considerable amount of work between the MOD, RAF and industry. Partnering arrangements are the most effective way forward for a programme such as Typhoon, and the TAS solution should make a considerable difference in ensuring that the RAF’s Typhoon fleet meets its operational commitments.”
Currently over 270 BAE Systems’ employees work on the TAS contract across RAF Coningsby and the BAE Systems’ sites at Samlesbury and Warton in Lancashire. This will grow to 500 over the course of the five year contract.