New teaming agreement supports Defence forces training in complex, high-threat electromagnetic environments
NOWRA – 18 May 2017: Raytheon Australia and Air Affairs Australia have signed a teaming agreement today that outlines a significant expansion of Australia’s Electronic Warfare Training Services capability. This new partnership will allow Defence forces to train in complex, high-threat electromagnetic environments.
Raytheon Australia currently delivers real-world simulation, testing and training services for the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force utilising two Raytheon-owned Learjets. The teaming agreement expands the current fleet of special mission aircraft available for delivery of EWTS.
EWTS missions are complex and involve sophisticated EW system training, test, experimentation and evaluation trials, radar jamming and deception, communications denial and deception and radar threat simulation.
“Electronic Warfare will play an increasingly critical role in the battlespace of the future,” said Michael Ward, managing director of Raytheon Australia. “As the demand for sophisticated EW training systems grows, Raytheon Australia and Air Affairs Australia will be ready to respond and support defence.”
Air Affairs Australia owns and operates a fleet of 13 special mission Learjet aircraft that offer specialised air training support services to Defence. Established in 1995 and 100% Australian owned, Air Affairs Australia is a leader in specialised airborne and engineering services.
“Air Affairs Australia looks forward to working with Raytheon Australia and supporting Defence in its Electronic Warfare Training Services mission,” said Chris Sievers, managing director of Air Affairs Australia. “The combination of Raytheon Australia’s EW pedigree with Air Affairs’ high capacity special mission air operation will provide Defence the advanced capability it is seeking.”
In the last two years, Raytheon Australia and the Commonwealth have jointly invested more than $5 million to upgrade Australian Electronic Warfare Training Service capabilities. Recently Raytheon Australia marked the 2,500th mission completed by its airborne EWTS team.