BAE Systems is seeking study contracts from the UK Defence Procurement Agency that will extend work on its Future Organic Airborne Early Warning (FOAEW) proposals, which would keep the team together and ensure smooth progression to the next project stage.
Study contracts awarded to BAE and Thales Defence Systems earlier this year conclude in December. FOAEW will provide the AEW for the UK's aircraft carriers. It is due to receive approval to proceed to development in March 2003.
BAE FOAEW chief systems engineer Bob Catterson says: "We would like to help the customer between the end of the [current] studies and 2003." He adds: "If we get a follow-on contract it would ideally be seamless."
Source: Flight International