BAE Systems involvement in the mid life upgrade includes the design, develop and manufacture kits for twenty-five aircraft and provide support to Alenia to embody the kits onto the aircraft at their Caselle factory in Turin, Italy.
Improvements include new digital displays replacing the traditional analog ones and full capability to employ night-vision goggles. Also included is MIDS (Multi-functional Information Distribution System) Link 16 which will give the ability to exchange near real-time tactical information, including both data and voice, between air, ground and sea assets.
The award of this contract further underlines the Company's capabilities in the area of readiness and sustainment, which accounted for around 40% of BAE Systems' revenue in 2009.
Steve Debonnaire, BAE Systems Director Tornado said: "BAE Systems is already involved in the mid life upgrade of the first batch of Italian Tornados and based on our performance and the commitment our team has demonstrated, we're delighted to secure this second contract. We will continue to work in close partnership with Alenia, Cassidian and Panavia to ensure this contract is as successful as the last."
This is the last major upgrade of Italian Tornados before the out of service date which is currently expected to be before 2030.
Tornado is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed and built by Panavia Aircraft GmbH, a tri-national consortium consisting of BAE Systems, Alenia Aeronautica of Italy and Cassidian of Germany.