BAE SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA TO EQUIP RAAF F-111 AIRCRAFT WITH OXLEY NIGHT FLYING LIGHTING SYSTEM

BAE SYSTEMS Australia has been awarded a contract by Oxley Avionics of the UK to perform a trial modification of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 cockpit and external lighting system to be night vision goggle compatible.

"This contract represents the first fruit from the Defence Industry Involvement Recognition (DIIREC) Deed signed by Oxley Developments and the Commonwealth of Australia to transfer night vision compatible conversion technology to BAE SYSTEMS Australia,� said Mr Harry Bradford, Managing Director, Customer Solutions & Support - BAE SYSTEMS Australia.

"The technology transferred by Oxley under the DIIREC Deed gives BAE SYSTEMS Australia the capability to modify lighting installations for fast jets, aircraft capable ships, helicopters and military vehicles to work effectively with Australian Defence Force personnel wearing night vision equipment,� he said.

Under the contract, BAE SYSTEMS will undertake the modification and installation of Oxley components. The work will be carried out at BAE SYSTEMS Australia's Holden Hill facility in South Australia.

The converted cockpit will enable the RAAF to develop requirements and procedures for a potential future program to modify the whole fleet of F-111s.