Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has been appointed prime contractor for the manufacturing programme linked to the supply of up to 145 attack helicopters to the Turkish armed forces. TAI has asked the five shortlisted helicopter manufacturers - Agusta, Bell Helicopter Textron, Boeing, Eurocopter and Kamov/Israeli Aircraft Industries - for best and final offers, which must be submitted by the end of this month. Northrop Grumman is to produce 55 replacement wings for USAir Force T-38 trainers under a $31.2 million contract, with deliveries to begin in 2001.A redesigned wing is expected to enter production in 2006 to retrofit the 500-aircraft T-38 fleet. Ericsson Saab Avionics has won a SKr60 million ($7.2 million) research and development contract from the Swedish Ministry of Defence to create an electronic warfare technology base. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has selected Raytheon Systems Australia to support the operational test and evaluation (OT&E) programme for the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules. The RAAF will formally receive its first C-130J on 7 September, after which the three-month OT&E will be performed. Computing Devices is to design, develop and produce the 1760 standard weapon stores management system for the UK Royal Air Force's fleet of British Aerospace Harrier GR7/T10s. The Australian Defence Force's Navy Aviation Systems Project Office says that Australian companies have been awarded A$18.4 million ($12 million) in work - about $1.8 million more than budgeted - by GKN Westland as part of a life-extension programme for the Royal Australian Navy's Sea King fleet. Northrop Grumman Field Support Services has received a $5.6 million contract to produce kits to allow the US Navy's F-14B/D Tomcat fleet defence fighter to carry the GBU-24 laser guided bomb.
Source: Flight International
