BAE Systems to Integrate Capability E onto RAF Harrier GR9s

Released on Monday, January 14, 2008

BAE Systems has been awarded a £84m contract for the development of 'Capability E' on Harrier GR9 aircraft by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The Capability E programme will form part of the existing £500m GR9 capability release programme that has successfully demonstrated 'through life capability' over the last six years and pioneered an incremental approach to technology insertion.

Capability E will involve the design, development, integration and clearance of a number of systems including software functionality for secure communications, a replacement video recording system, modified Auxiliary Communications Navigation Identification Panel (ACNIP), the establishment of a second secure communications channel and the introduction of a Tactical Information Exchange Capability (TIEC).

Following customer clearance, embodiment of Capability E onto the Harrier fleet will be undertaken as part of the Harrier Joint Upgrade and Maintenance Programme (JUMP) at RAF Cottesmore. The JUMP line has already reduced aircraft downtime and made an additional 11 aircraft available to the front-line, as highlighted in a report from the UK National Audit Office.

Nigel Davey, BAE Systems' Harrier Programme Director said: "The Capability E programme will provide the MoD with upgrades to the Harrier GR9/9A fleet which will significantly enhance the already proven capability of the aircraft that has proved so successful in recent deployed operations in Afghanistan. It will also further strengthen the Harrier's position as the close air support platform of choice for the UK MoD".