Article Posted on : - Apr 21, 2011

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (BNS): BAE Systems has been awarded a contracted valued worth $3 million to provide vital usage monitoring services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornet fighters.

The three year contract entails the Australian subsidiary of BAE Systems “to gather, track and report fatigue-related information about the Hornet’s airframe and engines using a unique, Australian-developed Maintenance Diagnostic and Service Life Monitoring System.”

BAE Systems Australia has also developed a suite of diagnostic software tools that provide the RAAF with the capability to conduct detailed investigations into generic aircraft operational characteristics, and into the causes of specific aircraft incidents, the company said.

In 2008, BAE Systems was selected to develop a similar capability for the RAAF’s new fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.

“Leveraging our unique system will give the RAAF and Defence Science Technology Organisation (DSTO) the data required to make informed decisions on the F/A-18 fleet to ensure it remains viable until the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft into service,” BAE's Aerospace Business Unit Director John Monaghan said.

BAE Systems Australia has delivered comprehensive airframe and engine fatigue monitoring services for the RAAF’s Hornet fleet since 1983.