CANBERRA – 30 July 2009: The Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Ron Fisher, today welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to award the company a contract to provide In Service Support to the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of AS350BA Lead In Helicopter Trainers.

Mr Fisher said “This is a tremendous achievement for Raytheon Australia. It consolidates Raytheon’s role in providing support to 723 Squadron, the Royal Australian Navy’s training squadron at HMAS Albatross, Nowra.

“Together with our Retention and Motivation Initiative contract, where Raytheon provides 723 Squadron with an annual 1500 flying hours using a fleet of light twin engined helicopters, Raytheon has again shown an ability to provide dedicated training support for Navy’s future aviators. This is a significant and strategic win that further consolidates Raytheon Australia's position as a major contributor to In-Service-Support services for Navy’s aircrew training capability.

The scope of work that will be undertaken by Raytheon Australia and its industry partner, Airwork (NZ) Limited, covers management, engineering, repairable item management, configuration management, obsolescence management, provision of breakdown spares, and on aircraft maintenance at HMAS Albatross.

Mr Fisher said, “Our engagement to provide In Service Support to the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of AS350BA is for an initial five year period, with four one year options to extend and, like our support for Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative, it is a performance-based contract”. 

“This award involves 22 full-time positions and reaffirms our strong commitment to building local jobs and industry in Nowra. It demonstrates that Raytheon Australia is as dedicated to the Shoalhaven community as we are to the Navy at HMAS Albatross. Already at Nowra, Raytheon Australia has people working in support of the DMO’s Naval Aviation Systems Program Office, Navy’s RMI program and Electronic Warfare Training Services programs and the DSTO’s Defence Experimentation Airborne Platform (DEAP) programs,” Mr Fisher said.

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With facilities located across the country, Raytheon Australia is a highly capable prime contractor with an engineering and technical workforce of 1300 backed by world-class management and quality systems. This local presence is bolstered by strong relationships with small and medium sized enterprises and access to the global resources of Raytheon Company. 

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specialising in defence, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Contact
Raytheon Australia
Gerry Wheeler
+61 439 501 327
gerard.wheeler@raytheon.com.au