Article Posted on : - May 26, 2010

CASA C-295 turboprop aircraft. Photo: EADS North America.

DENVER (BNS): The Finnish Air Force has awarded a four year contract to Lockheed Martin for the supply of airborne surveillance system and associated ground systems.

“We intend to provide the Air Force Command with a highly capable system that fulfill their dynamic airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operational requirements,” John Mengucci, President of Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services-Defense, said in a company news release, Monday.

The contract value is estimated for $100 million.

According to the release, Lockheed Martin will fit the advanced surveillance system on a modified EADS CASA C-295 turboprop aircraft. A key attribute of the system will be an open and modular architecture to allow future system upgrades that will be easily added and readily reconfigured to support evolving mission needs.

This approach ensures an up-to-date system throughout the life cycle using an innovative technology road mapping process. Lockheed Martin’s team will also provide ground stations, and communications terminals to support the airborne system of Finnish Air Force.

Lockheed Martin will work with Finnish Industry along with its team to maximize industry participation ensuring national autonomy and to maintain the payload as well as advancing host country technical capabilities.