BAE wins Hornet usage monitoring contract

RAAF F/A-18 Hornets flying in formation during Exercise Pitch Black 2010. (Dept of Defence)

BAE Systems has won a three year contract to provide usage monitoring services for the RAAF’s F/A-18A/B Hornets, in a deal worth approximately $3 million.

Under the agreement, BAE will gather and report fatigue-related information about the F/A-18A/B’s airframe and engines, using an Australian developed Maintenance Diagnostic and Service Life Monitoring System (MDSLMS). The company says it 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”.

“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 says the contract will support 10 jobs at RAAF Williamtown and Melbourne.