TAE Aerospace and the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Air Combat and Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (ACEASPO) have signed a contract for the upgrade of the F414 engine test cells at RAAF bases Amberley and Williamtown.
This project involves upgrading the F414 control and data acquisition system (CDAS) for the test cells, that are used for functional testing of the RAAF’s Super Hornet and Growler aircraft F414 engines.
The facility at Amberley is also capable of inspecting the F135 Joint Strike Fighter engines, and Williamtown can test the F404 Classic Hornet engines, retired from RAAF service at the end of 2021.
“The current F414 engine test system has served us well for over a decade," said Valerie Lawson, Director Enabling Services ACEASPO.
"TAE’s comprehensive system upgrades will now ensure that these critical engine test facilities remain reliable and sustainable to support our air combat capabilities well into the next decade.”
The operation of these test facilities is part of the maintenance, repair and overhaul service TAE provides for the F414 engines for the RAAF, with upgrades expected to be complete in early to mid-2025.
"This project is a continuation of TAE Aerospace’s long standing engine test cell upgrade and maintenance activity for Defence, and we look forward to delivering the upgraded CDAS for the test cells over the next two years," said Andrew Sanderson, TAE Aerospace CEO.