February 19, 2019 | International, Aerospace
By: Agnes Helou
ABU DHABI — BAE Systems signed a memorandum of agreement with the United Arab Emirates repair and overhaul center to transfer technology of some F-16 initiatives to the UAE.
The memorandum between BAE and the Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center, or AMMROC, was signed on the second day of IDEX 2019.
BAE Systems will open a facility at Al Ain, along the eastern border, “formalizing the relationship” with AMMROC, which also supports Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky with Black Hawk and C-130 maintenance, and repair and overhaul of ever fixed wing aircraft that the UAE Air Force counts among its fleet.
“Our agreement with AMMROC allows us to work with an established leader in MRO and benefit from the skill and experience of their local workforce in the UAE,” said Paul Markwardt, vice president of survivability, targeting and sensing solutions at BAE Systems' Electronic Systems business.
Under the MOU, the two organizations will work closely together on multiple projects, ranging from testing and repair services to manufacturing, support, and product installation. Potential projects include BAE Systems' avionics, communication, display, sensor, and survivability products.
Among other things, “the MOU provides the testing of the equipment BAE Systems has on the F-16 platform," with BAE transfering technology for the testing of some products and building of some others, another BAE Systems official added.
Other potential products BAE Systems could bring to the UAE, are the eye goggle tester, EMI/EMC lightening test equipment, F-16 ground support equipment, and IFF (identification friend or foe) license production.
AMMROC CEO Abdul Hakeem Ahmed Saif Al Muflahi noted that the MOU doesn't include buying systems but transferring technology.
“This MOU enhances AMMROC's position in delivering a fully integrated, world class MRO solution in accordance with industry best practices," he said. "The potential projects represent an exciting opportunity for both companies to work together in the field of MRO. AMMROC is proud to partner with BAE Systems, one of the world's leading defense companies, and we look forward to working with their team to develop and execute on the MOU.”
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ByEd Adamczyk Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems announced the sale of over 1,000 THOR mini-drones to an unnamed Southeast Asian country in a $153 million deal. The contract for the unmanned aircraft systems, including other unmanned aircraft manufactured by the company, will be executed over a 22-month period, Elbit said earlier this week. The contract calls for THOR multirotor vertical-takeoff-and-landing mini-drones, as well as larger Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical models and ground control stations. The drones are light and small, and suited for reconnaissance missions. At nine pounds, it can carry a 1.5-pound payload, typically a camera, to an altitude of 2,000 feet. It features a 4-mile range and can stay aloft for up to 55 minutes. The Israel Defense Force uses the aircraft extensively on its northern border with Lebanon. "This contract award underlines our competitive edge as armies increasingly view multi-layered UAS [unmanned aerial systems] solutions as key to providing superior intelligence and maintaining a high level of operational flexibility," said the Bezhalel Machil, Elbit president. While the receiving country was not named, Asia is a burgeoning market for the aircraft. Israel is a leading developer of unmanned aerial vehicles, once selling up to $500 million per year, a figure reduced in recent years by competition from China. The Philippines reportedly were nearing a deal with Elbit worth $180 million in the summer. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/10/11/Israels-Elbit-Systems-sells-153M-worth-of-mini-drones-to-unnamed-country