The UK is to launch a research project leading to the possible availability of an active electronically scanned array (AESA)antenna for the Royal Navy's future Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC)aircraft, which is to enter service in the middle of next decade, writes Craig Hoyle.
Interested companies have until 24 September to submit expressions of interest in conducting the work, which will start with a risk-reduction phase drawing on earlier research into AES Aradar technologies conducted for the UK Ministry of Defence.
The programme also calls for the production of initial designs suitable for integration with an airborne platform, says the MoD solicitation.
The intellectual property for the planned lightweight high-power active array (LPHAA) should be developed and retained within the UK supplier base, says the MoD. Domestic companies expected to bid for the work include BAE Systems Avionics and Thales Sensors.
To operate from the RN's two Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF), the MASC aircraft will replace the service's current organic airborne early warning capability, which is provided by Westland Sea King ASaC7 airborne surveillance and control helicopters. However, the MASC project's receipt of initial gate approval has been repeatedly delayed as the UK struggles to finalise the exact size of its CVFs, which are planned to enter service in 2012 and 2015, respectively.
Thales Sensors, meanwhile, is continuing work to modify two RN Sea King HAS6 anti-submarine warfare helicopters to the service's ASaC7 configuration by late 2005 to replace two aircraft lost to a mid-air collision in the opening days of last year's Operation Telic campaign in Iraq. The company was late last year selected to prepare the replacement aircraft, in a move to restore the RN's feet to 13 of the aircraft.
Source: Flight International
