Technology transfer issues that have dogged the multinational Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS) are now resolved and a contract is due to be signed in October.
Don Lionettie, chairman of the MEADS International consortium, says "administrative" delays in the German parliament prevented a signature on a $250 million contract to begin a risk reduction exercise on the project to provide a mobile air defence system to the US, German and Italian armed forces.
German and Italian concerns about the level of technology transfer of the PAC3 missiles used in the system has now been resolved, says Lionettie.
The programme is now expected to result in the deployment of an operational system in the 2010 time frame, he says.
Norwegian upgrade
The Norwegian Air Force has taken delivery of its fourth Lockheed Martin P-3C.
The aircraft is the final one under a $50 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems-Tactical Systems in late 1996.
This project has seen it providing systems integration, fabrication, installation and delivery of upgrades that incorporate advanced sensors, computers, operator stations and communications systems into Norway's P-3C surveillance and patrol fleet.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin has been notified that the Dutch parliament has approved the Royal Netherlands navy's request to sign the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the P-3C Capabilities Upkeep Programme. This will see an upgrade of 10 P-3Cs with new mission system avionics based on US Navy improvements.
Egyptian deal
Egypt has bought LANTIRN targeting and navigation pods worth $70.5 million from Lockheed Martin, to enable its F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to deliver laser guided bombs and other "smart" weapons. This is the third order from Egypt for the combat-proven system which the company says will "enhance" Egypt's F-16 fleet.
MiliCAS launch
A new military aircraft market information package has been launched here at the Show. AvSoft, producer of the ACAS civil information market information system, has unveiled a new sister product called MiliCAS.
It will contain data on the world's Western-built fleet of fixed wing military aircraft, from trainers to fighters to transports, to serial number level. MiliCAS details operator, model, engine, owner, age, market, group roles and weapon compatibility. It contains information on destroyed and retired aircraft as well as orders, current and historical with delivery schedules.
Source: Flight Daily News
