Weapon Enhancement Improves Tornado Aircraft Capability

SPX via Space War ^ | 07/01/2010 | SPX via Space War

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

BAE Systems has been awarded an GBP8.6M contract to integrate improved weaponry onto the Tornado GR4 fleet, by the UK Ministry of Defence. Introduction of the Insensitive Munition (IM) variant of the Dual Mode Brimstone guided missile will provide the UK's Royal Air Force with a low collateral, precision attack capability against manoeuvring and fixed targets, in line with operational requirements and forms part of a wider weaponry package known as SPEAR (Selective Precision Effects At Range).

A series of flight trials which will commence in 2011 will be carried out at BAE Systems Warton site to provide the necessary evidence to clear the Tornado GR4s to carry and deploy this weapon. The contract is just one element of a larger Complex Weapons contract, awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence to MBDA (UK) under the Team Complex Weapons initiative, earlier this year.

The award of this contract further underlines the company's capabilities in the area of readiness and sustainment, which accounts for around 40 per cent of BAE Systems' revenue in 2009.

Alun Fishburne, Managing Director Tornado and Harrier said: "It is vitally important that we support the frontline by offering the RAF the very best in complex weaponry. This programme will significantly enhance the Tornado fleet which already has proven capability on deployed operations in Afghanistan."

Tornado GR4s are currently operated from RAF Marham and RAF Lossiemouth and are also on operational deployment to Afghanistan.