Defense industry news : US defense company L3 Technologies has bagged a contract worth over $1 billion from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to supply four MC-55A Peregrine aircraft equipped with next-generation airborne electronic warfare (EW) capability.

Under the contract, L3 Technologies will deliver four modified Gulfstream G550 aircraft with an integrated mission system that comes with the latest EW capabilities. Work on the MC-55A Peregrine contract was initiated in 2017.

L3 Technologies said that funded orders received on the contract were nearly $230 million for Q1 2019 and about $700 million in total as of 29 March 2019.

Christopher E. Kubasik – L3 Technologies Chairman, CEO and President said: “Our mission solution and electronic warfare capabilities are highly sought-after by our allies.

“As business jets are increasingly utilized for EW purposes, we have invested in miniaturizing our capabilities to deliver new resources for our customers. Australia is a very important market for L3, and we look forward to a long and productive partnership with the RAAF and the local supplier base in support of the Peregrine program.”

According to L3 Technologies, the MC-55A Peregrine aircraft will be integrated into Australia’s joint warfighting networks. The new aircraft are expected to provide a crucial link between platforms, including the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, EA-18G Growler, E-7A Wedgetail, Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships, and ground assets to back the warfighter.

Jeff Miller – Corporate Senior Vice President and President of L3 Technologies ISR Systems business segment said: “This capability will greatly strengthen the RAAF’s goal to becoming a fully networked fifth-generation force and considerably enhance their global effect on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

“It will serve as a critical link between air, land and sea assets to provide airborne electronic warfare support to Commonwealth and allied warfighters in complex operating environments.”

L3 Technologies is carrying out the contract-related work at its Greenville, Texas facility and at Gulfstream in Savannah, Georgia. The work will include airframe modifications to facilitate mission systems and secure communications equipment, installation of a self-protection suite, ground-based data processing systems as well as crew training services.

  Australia, Christopher E. Kubasik, Defense industry news, Gulfstream G550 aircraft, Jeff Miller, L3 Technologies, MC-55A Peregrine aircraft