BAE Systems' Typhoon and Hawk aircraft to take centre stage at Dubai 2005

A global leader in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land and at sea, BAE Systems will be spotlighting its air capability, Homeland Security solutions and ambition to create new partnerships in the Middle East, including the key markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In addition to a full scale replica of the world leading Typhoon fighter , and Typhoon cockpit demonstrator on the Dubai 2005 flightline, the Hawk avionics cockpit demonstrator will be on displayed the BAE Systems stand at the event.

Other systems exhibited will be BAE Systems Advanced Reconnaissance System (ARS), a dual-band long to medium range, podded recce system; an advanced helmet mounted display that projects vital information, with image intensified real-world overlays, onto a pilot's visor; the Digital Light Engine Head-Up Display, which can be retro-fitted and significantly reduces through-life costs; the Skyeye UAV system that can remain aloft for 12 hours while carrying a 100kg payload and Matador, a system that protects a wide variety of multi-engine jet transport aircraft against first generation IR missile threats.

Among the Homeland Security solutions on display will be BAE Systems' Integrated Air Defence Systems that brings together long or medium range radar and electrical or optical sensors to provide a picture of an aerial battlefield to multiple platforms and the Wideband Programmable Network Radio (WPNR) that enables real-time dissemination of tactical information.

Simon Keith, Regional Managing Director, BAE Systems Middle East said: 'The two years since the last Dubai air show have seen BAE Systems emerge from testing times, with its four main aircraft projects, currently in various stages of development or production, taking off.

'Prospects for the Typhoon swing-role combat aircraft, Hawk advanced jet trainer, Nimrod MRA4 maritime reconnaissance and attack aircraft, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are extremely bright and all four projects are flying high.'

The air forces of the four partner Eurofighter nations had, by the end of October 2005, accepted delivery of 60 Typhoon aircraft. These aircraft are deployed with training and development squadrons across Europe. The Tranche 2 programme for a further 236 aircraft is under contract and has been launched across European industry.

In August, the first of six Hawk 129s destined for the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) completed its maiden flight. Significant progress has also been made in the first half of 2005 on the Indian Air Force (66 aircraft) and the UK MoD design and development contracts for Hawk, both secured in 2004. Twenty four of the Indian Air Force Hawks are now in build. In addition to this the first Indian Air Force pilots graduated from RAF Valley in May. Meanwhile, the South African aircraft build contract (24 aircraft) continues on schedule.

The first and second Nimrod development aircraft, PA01 and PA02, continue to make good progress through the flight test programme with encouraging results being achieved at this early stage. The third development aircraft, PA03, is now contributing to the flight test programme following its first flight in August 2005.

BAE Systems is partnered with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme. In May 2005, BAE Systems delivered the first F-35 aft fuselage on time and within budget to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Ft. Worth, Texas. These deliveries marked key steps toward first flight of the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) in 2006.
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BAE Systems has had a presence in the Middle East for more than 30 years. Its long term commitment to the region is embodied in its investment in dedicated offices, in Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, that help provide through-life support to its customers.

'In numerous cases, countries across the Middle East and in the UK and Australia are asking industry to work closely with them to streamline support and bring commercial best practice to bear in the search for more robust and cost-effective support solutions,' said Keith.

'BAE Systems is responding to that challenge and can demonstrate some remarkable improvements in operational effectiveness and reduced costs by working closely with customers.'

In addition to providing through-life support to its Middle East customers, the local offices also work with BAE Systems' regional partners. In the Sultanate of Oman, the Oman College - the first Partnership for Development project in the country - is a centre of excellence for aviation training. In Bahrain, the Air Training Wing provides a total indigenous aircrew training capability that will develop world-class military fast jet pilots to meet the operational requirements of the Royal Bahrain Air Force.

'BAE Systems has been present at all the previous Dubai air shows. The event has demonstrated its ability to attract the highest levels of interest and attendance from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia including key political and military decision makers,' said Keith.

'As a result, the exhibition has become an essential opportunity for BAE Systems to demonstrate the advanced systems for security and defence we can provide, not only to the UAE but also to other existing and potential partners in the region.'