U.K. Picks L-3 for Helix Program’s Risk-Reduction Phase
L-3 Communications has landed its first major British defense contract. The Ministry of Defence here announced that the New York-based company will undertake the assessment phase of a program to update the mission systems on Royal Air Force Nimrod R1 electronic reconnaissance aircraft. The breakthrough deal will see L-3’s Integrated Systems subsidiary carry out a two-year, 11.5 million pound ($22.7 million), risk-reduction phase on a Nimrod R1 project known as Helix........
If the Helix project goes according to plan, L-3 is expected to receive approval to move on to the demonstration and production phase of the contract in mid-2009. That deal has a projected value of up to 400 million pounds over a seven-year period.
First aircraft deliveries are scheduled for early 2013.
L-3 will act as lead systems integrator and prime contractor, heading a team that includes British firms QinetiQ, LogicaCMG and BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies. The U.K. companies will be responsible for about 65 percent of the program delivery, Cook said. The Helix contractor’s main role will be to modify R1 mission systems infrastructure and architecture, and to update associated hardware and software capabilities........
L-3 is bidding for several significant U.K. programs. Project Listener, a program to provide time-critical targeting capabilities for RAF aircraft, is likely to be the next in line for a decision. The company is competing with BAE, General Dynamics UK and Lockheed Martin UK for the lead systems integrator role. Selection of one or two bidders to undertake risk-reduction studies is expected later this year. That could be followed in 2009 with the selection of a winning contractor.......
So, delivery about the same time as the MRA4 then?
