British Aerospace is proposing a package of weapons to the Australian armed forces to meet their growing number of requirements for new air-to-air, anti-radiation, anti-ship, air- defence and stand-off air-to-surface missiles.
The concept being proposed by BAe builds on an earlier offer to establish in-country assembly and support for the Sea Skua helicopter-launched anti-ship missile. It says that this could be extended to cover a range of different BAe missile systems now under consideration by Australia.
BAe has suggested that Australia, rather than simply selecting new missile systems on a case-by-case by basis, instead consider the economic benefits of a co-ordinated purchase across different programmes. The company argues that this would provide Australia with a much more solid and longer-term base for a missile industry.
The only Australian company with any real past experience of developing and producing missiles, AWA Defence Industries, was recently acquired by British Aerospace Australia. It is keen to build on its recent success with the Nulka Active Missile Decoy and broaden its capabilities.
BAe is in the process of either tendering for, or in the advance stage of competing for, five separate missile programmes. They include an anti-ship missile for the navy's yet-to-selected new shipboard helicopter as part of sea project 1411/27. A decision is expected soon on either the Sea Skua or the Hughes AGM-65 Maverick.
The next missile requirement scheduled for a decision is the second phase of air project 5398, which calls for the supply of an air-launched anti-radiation missile. BAe has proposed its ALARM, but faces strong competition from Texas Instruments with its AGM-88 HARM..
With a decision on phase two expected this year, attention is already beginning to turn to phases three and four of air project 5398 and the requirement for a new longer-range stand-off weapon. BAe is proposing the Storm Shadow to complement Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI's) Popeye system selected by Australia to meet phase one of project 5398.
Other missile programmes include procurement of a new short-range, air-to air missile as part of air project 5400, and a ground-launched air-defence missile to replace the Rapier under the Army's land project 117. BAe is competing for the 5400 with its ASRAAM, against IAI's Python 4 and possibly Hughes AIM-9X, with a decision set for 1998.
A decision on project 117 is not expected before 2000, but BAe is already signalling its intent to compete with its Jernas missile.
Australia has also asked BAe to evaluate the Allied Signal F-124 engine as an alternative powerplant to the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour for the Hawk. Its evaluation will include the cost and time (six months, say some) needed to integrate the engine into the Hawk, its cost of operation and performance relative to an Adour-powered aircraft. The air force is expected to make an engine selection within a "few weeks", say sources.
Source: Flight International