NOWRA, Australia – BAE Systems plans to establish a world class aviation maintenance facility in Nowra, NSW, if it secures the contract to support the Royal Australian Navy’s S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter fleet.

BAE Systems Australia Managing Director Jim McDowell, managing director, BAE Systems Australia said today the company remained committed to Nowra as the long term home of its naval helicopter support operations.

‘BAE Systems has been providing deeper maintenance support for Navy helicopters based out of Nowra since 1993,” Mr McDowell said.

“If we are selected in response to a current tender process, we plan to establish a new helicopter support capability at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park, adjacent to HMAS Albatross.

“This proposal will enable cost effective investment in a long term facility solution at Nowra and support of a sustainable Nowra based industry capability for the Seahawk Mission System and broader Navy requirements,” he said.

The deeper maintenance facility at Albatross Aviation Technology Park, to be known as the Navy Helicopter Support Centre will incorporate the previous Seasprite facility and a purpose built maintenance facility.

The company is leading a defence helicopter industry alliance, known as the Seahawk Support Team, together with partners Raytheon Australia, Rosebank Engineering, and Asia Pacific Aerospace and Air Affairs, in its bid for the contract. Raytheon Australia is the leading provider of avionics maintenance and engineering services to the ADF across multiple aircraft platforms.

“The release of the RFT for an initial period of seven years, and lifting a restriction that mandated government furnished facilities at HMAS Albatross has allowed the Team to offer the Navy a much improved industry support model for the Seahawk helicopter,” Mr McDowell said.

Source: BAE