Reconnaissance upgrade to the Royal Air Force's (RAF) fleet of Nimrod R1 aircraft

L-3 Communications, FARNBOROUGH, England: L-3 Communications announced today that BAE Systems has been selected to join L-3's Project HELIX team. BAE Systems joins QinetiQ (UK) and LogicaCMG (UK) as partners with L-3's Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) subsidiary to develop a reconnaissance upgrade to the Royal Air Force's (RAF) fleet of Nimrod R1 aircraft. 
 
The UK's Nimrod R1 provides electronic support to military commanders and is viewed as a critical component of the UK Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability. L-3 is exhibiting at the 2006 Farnborough International Airshow, from July 17-23, in Hall 4 at Stand A-14. 
 
BAE Systems, as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Nimrod aircraft, will provide aircraft modification, aircraft certification, long term support and logistics services, as well as contribute sensor technologies as a partner on the L-3 team. BAE Systems joins L-3's other partners who include QinetiQ, which provides electronic reconnaissance technologies and LogicaCMG, which provides ground systems, information management and security services and technologies. 
 
“We are excited that BAE Systems is joining us as a partner on our HELIX team. BAE Systems offers our team unparalleled expertise and experience with the Nimrod aircraft, as well as world class planning and execution of aircraft logistics services,” said Jack Cooke, vice president of Tactical Reconnaissance Systems at L-3 IS. “With BAE Systems, we are confident that our team can deliver a high performance system that is ready to meet tomorrow's challenges at a low risk to the MOD.” 
 
As the lead systems integrator, L-3 IS leads one of two teams selected by the MOD for the “program-definition” phase of Project HELIX. Project HELIX is a multi-stage acquisition program which will lead to the selection of one team to complete the risk reduction phase of this program later this year. The risk reduction phase will be followed by a demonstration and manufacturing contract to deliver the HELIX capability to the RAF.  
 
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded GB GBP 15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005. 
 
LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services. It employs 30,000 people across 36 countries. Its focus is on enabling its customers to build and maintain leadership positions using LogicaCMG's deep industry knowledge and its track record for successful delivery. 
 
QinetiQ is a leading global defence technology and security company. Founded in July 2001 from the majority of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), the laboratories of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), QinetiQ today has grown internationally with around 11,500 employees in the UK and U.S. 
 
L-3 IS is recognized internationally as a system integration organization specializing in the modernization and maintenance of aircraft of all sizes, and the study, design, development and integration of special reconnaissance and communication systems for military and commercial purposes.