Jets get £350 million in tech upgrades

BAE Systems has won two equipment contracts worth £352 million with the Royal Air Force to boost communications for Tornado and Harrier jets, it was announced today.

Both jets, both of which are being used in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, will see upgrades to their communications and a new text data link.

The first system will secure communications to help minimise the risk of opposing forces intercepting calls pilots make to air controllers and other combat aircraft.

The second aspect will boost data links, by implementing the Tactical Information Exchange Capability (TIEC) system, which sends operational information in text form to the cockpit, with the hopes of boosting the crew's awareness and reducing the chance of friendly fire errors.

Baroness Taylor, the minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said: "This contract with BAE Systems will provide our Tornado and Harrier jets with state-of-the-art equipment that will significantly improve their ability to communicate with each other and assist operations on the ground."

In addition to the equipment costs, an additional £198 million will be spent on support.

As part of the first contract, Tornado jets will receive the upgrades to their secure communications and data links, as well as gain a precision guided bomb, at a cost of £253 million. The second contract, worth £99 million, will see Harrier jets get a secondary secure radio connection as well as the TIEC system.

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