GREENVILLE, Texas, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking a major step forward in
the UK's ASTOR (Airborne Stand-Off Radar) programme, the first Global Express
aircraft arrived 31st January at Majors Field at Raytheon's Greenville
facility, in preparation for conversion and integration of the ASTOR system.
The green (unfurnished and minimally equipped) aircraft had flown directly
from the Bombardier facility in Montreal, Canada, where it had been built.
This is the first defence role for the Global Express which is more commonly
seen in corporate jet configuration.
On arrival the aircraft, the latest addition to the UK Military Aircraft
register and which had been flown down from Canada by a Raytheon crew, was met
by Squadron Leader David Norris, Royal Air Force, and other members of the UK
Ministry of Defence (MoD) team based in Greenville. Also present, and greeted
by the welcoming party, was Peter Webb, Manager, ASTOR Program, Bombardier
Aerospace Business Aircraft.
The aircraft was then moved into the hangar where work will commence on
modifying the airframe to accommodate the radomes housing the mission
antennae, making other aerodynamic changes, and integrating the advanced dual-
mode radar, sophisticated communications equipment and exploitation
workstations. Work on this particular aircraft is scheduled to be completed
by the third quarter of 2003 prior to test flying, operational acceptance
trials and delivery to the MoD in 2004.
The remaining four airframes will all be completed by Raytheon Systems
Limited (RSL) in the UK.
Speaking shortly after the aircraft's arrival Dr Richard Anderson,
Raytheon's VP for Airborne Surveillance & Control Systems, said, "This is a
major milestone for the ASTOR programme and, most importantly, delivery is on
time and we are on programme. The Global Express was selected as the ideal
platform since it was designed to meet the rugged demands of special mission
roles as well as having the exceptional range and performance capabilities
called for in ASTOR operations."
Peter McKee, managing director of RSL, said, "Although this first airframe
is being modified and integrated in Greenville, a number of RSL employees from
our North Wales and Harlow facilities will be working alongside their US
counterparts. This will be in readiness for the progressive transition of the
programme to the UK during 2003."
Last year a Global Express development aircraft was aerodynamically
configured to the ASTOR specification and since August has flown some 94
hours, validating the data generated through wind tunnel testing and computer
modelling.
Raytheon Systems Limited is the UK-based subsidiary of Raytheon Company.
With nearly 2,000 employees throughout the country, RSL services both defence
and commercial markets. Raytheon is a major supplier to the UK Ministry of
Defence and has won programmes such as ASTOR and SIFF (Successor
Identification Friend or Foe). The company also participates as a team player
in bids for other programmes such as the Royal Navy's Future Carrier (CVF),
Co-operative Engagement Capability (UK CEC), Javelin and Precision Guided
Bomb. RSL also designs, develops and manufactures ATC radar, identification
systems and anti-jam navigation systems. It is a specialist supplier of
semiconductors and power modules, manufacturing complex electronic systems,
sub-systems and assemblies, and undertakes aircraft servicing and
modification.
With headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts, Raytheon Company is a
global technology leader in defence, government, and commercial electronics,
and business and special mission aircraft.
Note to editors:
ASTOR is the UK Ministry of Defence's new, highly sophisticated, long
range airborne surveillance system. On each of the five Bombardier Global
Express aircraft, the dual-mode (Synthetic Aperture Radar / Moving Target
Indicator) radars provide high-resolution images that can be exploited on the
aircraft's workstations before being transmitted by secure data-link to
dedicated ground stations. The ASTOR system will employ six Tactical Ground
Stations, which are mounted in high-mobility 6x6 Pinzgauer Steyr trucks for
rapid mobility and forward deployment, and two Operational Level Ground
Stations installed in air-portable containers. The system operates in near
real time to give battlefield commanders rapid access to highly accurate
information on what is happening in their area of interest.
When it enters service in 2005, the UK's Ministry of Defence ASTOR system
will be the most advanced of its type in the world.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ASTOR GLOBAL EXPRESS ARRIVING AT RAYTHEON'S GREENVILLE
FACILITY MAY BE VIEWED AND DOWNLOADED FROM:
http://www.raytheon.co.uk/astorlanding
For information:
Mike Brown
Tel: +44 (0)20 7569 5517
Mobile: +44 (0)7785 995722
mike.brown@raytheon.co.uk
SOURCE Raytheon
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