Avionics Maintenance Contract to Raytheon Australia

Raytheon Australia has signed a contract with the Commonwealth to provide the lead on Commercialisation of 92 Wing Avionics Workshop in Edinburgh, SA.

The 92 Wing avionics workshop, known as Raytheon AvWorks, provides deeper maintenance support to the fleet of AP-3C aircraft. The contract continues the commercialisation of defence support functions within the Australian Defence force.

"This is a significant and strategic win that further consolidates Raytheon Australia's position as the pre-eminent supplier of avionics support services to the Australian Defence Force," said Raytheon Australia's managing director, Ron Fisher.

"This contract builds on Raytheon Australia's mission support across domains, and stands as testament to the outstanding level of support and systems in place in the Company."

The scope of work covers the management and operation of the workshop located on RAAF Base Edinburgh and includes engineering, configuration management, obsolescence management, provision of breakdown spares, calibration and logistics management for the avionics.

Raytheon's selection is consistent with the direction outlined in the Government's Australian Defence Aerospace Sector Strategic Plan, Fisher said. "This will be a performance-based contract where Raytheon Australia is in control of the supply chain. We already provide logistics, engineering, configuration, project management and maintenance support for avionics from F-111, C-130, AP-3C platforms and numerous common items across the entire ADF fleet including all helicopters.

"Our reliance on the workforce in South Australia continues to grow. Right now we have about 150 people working in the state and that number is growing. South Australia is strategically well-placed and the State Government is very supportive of continued defence-related growth," he said.

In South Australia, Raytheon Australia provides mission support to the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), including operational level maintenance for F/A-18, PC9, Iroquois and Blackhawk airframes at RAAF Base Edinburgh, as well as supporting the full cycle dockings of Collins-class Submarines. The company also operates, in conjunction with the University of South Australia, the first SPOT5 satellite download facility in the Southern hemisphere. Raytheon Australia also houses its air warfare and surveillance centre in Adelaide.