Australia has awarded Raytheon the training support services contract to support the Super Hornet training systems at RAAF Base Amberley.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet said the signing of the Super Hornet training support services contract was worth approximately $21.5m over three years, and would secure approximately 25 jobs at RAAF Base Amberley for that period.
“The contract is vital for effective support of the air force’s fleet of Super Hornets when they begin arriving at RAAF Base Amberley this year,” he said.
Under the contract, Raytheon will provide maintenance, logistics and training services to support the Super Hornet flight simulators, visual environment maintenance trainers and electronic classrooms.
Australia will acquire 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets to aid the transition to mature joint strike fighter capability and to replace its aging fleet of F-111s by December 2010.
The RAAF will receive the first F/A-18F Super Hornet in late March 2010, and the remaining aircraft in 2010 and 2011.
Powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a combat-proven strike fighter with built-in versatility.