News Review: BAE Systems Australia teams with Kongsberg to sell RWS | ADM Aug 2009

Kongsberg is a market leader in RWS development and production with more than 10,000 systems in service with 16 countries, including on the Australian Army's ASLAV.

It also supplies the US Army with RWS through the CROWS II program.

Ian Sharp, Director Land Business Unit, for BAE Systems Australia said, "Through this teaming the Australian Defence Force will benefit from comprehensive, responsive and cost effective local support for the Kongsberg RWS originally acquired under an Urgent Operational Requirement."

Egil Haugsdal, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Protech Systems said, "BAE Systems in the US is already a key supplier of uncooled thermal imaging sensors to our US CROWS II program and this agreement will take full advantage of BAE Systems Australia's comprehensive platform, systems and equipment through life support capabilities.

"Kongsberg will train BAE Systems in the sales, integration, operation, maintenance and support of our expanding range of RWS equipment to provide the necessary expertise and back up in the Australian region.

"Additional opportunities will be available for BAE Systems to become part of the Kongsberg RWS global supply chain," Mr Haugsdal said.

A RWS assembly, integration and test facility will be established at BAE Systems Australia's electro-optic facility at Holden Hill in Adelaide.

Heavy grade repairs and calibration of RWS electro-optic sensors, precision mechanisms and electronics will also be conducted at this facility.

BAE Systems will undertake RWS medium grade repair at the Albury Wodonga Military Area facility and other customer sites.