Australian industry will take on a $140 million contract with the novation of the E-7A Wedgetail sustainment contract.
Head of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s (DMO) Aerospace Systems Division Air-Vice Marshal Colin Thorne said the contract originally based in the United States had been taken on by Boeing Defence Australia (BDA).
Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said the sustainment contract provided engineering, maintenance, spare parts and training support to the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail fleet of aircraft operated by Number 2 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown NSW.
“The six Wedgetail aircraft provide the Australian Defence Force with an enhanced airborne surveillance and control capability to detect aircraft at extended ranges,” Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said.
“Novation to an Australian prime contractor is testament to the growing ability of Australian industry to support the sustainment of Wedgetail operations.
“The effective transfer of integration engineering knowledge on complex airborne command and control capabilities from theUnited Statesinto local defence industry is an important milestone for the E-7A Wedgetail project.”
Novation to an Australian prime contractor enhances Australian industry’s involvement and leadership in the sustainment of the Wedgetail capability throughout this decade and beyond.
“This is an important celebratory milestone for more than 200 Boeing staff employed directly on E-7A Wedgetail support at Williamtown and at Amberley and Brisbane inQueensland,” Air Vice-Marshal Thorne said.
NOTE: The “novation” Link in the above was added by PacificSentinel for clarity & context.