BAE Systems has secured a contract to extend the Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) for the in-service support of the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon fleet.
The £112m contract has been awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). It requires the company to continue to work alongside the RAF to meet Typhoon’s operational requirements until early 2016.
In particular, the company will provide Typhoon aircrew and ground crew training, along with technical support and managing spares, repairs and logistics, and will also maintain the aircraft.
BAE Systems Military air support director Nigel Davey said: "This agreement is a continuation of a strong partnership with the MoD and RAF to support its Typhoon fleet.
"Over the past six years we have worked hard to develop a service which ensures the RAF is able to meet its operational requirements, while providing the best value for the UK’s taxpayers."
UK Defence Equipment & Support Minister Philip Dunne said: "This contract will deliver vital aircraft maintenance to the RAF Typhoon Force, ensuring the availability of the Typhoon fleet to meet its operational commitments.
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By GlobalData"The new contract incorporates best practice and lessons learnt during the first six years of service, improving the way the RAF is supported and making sure we can continue to keep the UK secure, both at home and abroad.
"Alongside recent announcements for weapon capability upgrades, this contract demonstrates our continuing commitment to maintain the aircraft’s status as a world class multi-role combat aircraft of choice now and in the future."
The extension is expected to help sustain nearly 650 jobs for BAE’s personnel based at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth supporting the Typhoon fleet.
According to BAE, its work on TAS contract has generated a saving of more than £100m to the MOD and has also increased availability of the jets to the RAF. This has been made possible by increasing the amount of time between Typhoon’s maintenance intervals from 400 to 500 hours.
Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multi-role fighter designed to conduct air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict missions worldwide.
Image: The new contract will see BAE working alongside the RAF in meeting Typhoon’s operational requirements until early 2016. Photo courtesy of BAE Systems.