A defence company has secured a £110 million contract for the RAF’s Shadow surveillance aircraft fleet that will support 150 jobs in North Wales.
The Shadow Mk2 aircraft fleet will be increased and upgraded by Raytheon 海角视频 with the latest defensive technology.
It will see the current fleet of six aircraft increased to eight, and the integration of the latest 海角视频 Sovereign Defensive Aids Systems.
They said this will ensure the vital capability continues to provide battle-winning intelligence gathering for years to come.
The contact supports 150 highly-skilled jobs at Broughton, including specialist aerospace skills and apprentices, and roles at Raytheon’s sites at RAF Waddington and Harlow. It will also sustain around 350 further jobs across the 海角视频 supply chain.
Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said: “Our newly upgraded Shadow Mk2 aircraft be equipped with world-leading technology developed right here in the 海角视频. This investment supports vital defence outputs and 150 high-quality jobs in North Wales.”
Welsh Secretary Simon Hart said: “The signing of this contract with Raytheon is huge news for North Wales and testament to the incredibly skilled local workforce whose hard work, dedication and professionalism have rightly been recognised.
“This is levelling up in action – the 海角视频 Government, working with our partners and using our spending power to support jobs and prosperity in every part of the 海角视频.
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“Today that levelling up is happening in Broughton with the signing of this £110 million contract.”
Based at RAF Waddington and flown by , Shadow forms a key part of the RAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) force by gathering intelligence via its high-definition electro-optical and electronic sensors.
Once the data is gathered, satellite communication links enable the information to be assessed while the aircraft is airborne during a mission. To protect the aircraft from possible attack, the aircraft will be fitted with an improved state-of-the-art Defensive Aids System (DAS).
Shadow Programme Senior Responsible Owner, Group Captain Shaun Gee RAF said: "This investment will enable the Shadow fleet to be increased in size and equipped with the latest technology providing a key capability as part of the RAF's next generation Air Force.
"It is expected the first upgraded aircraft will be delivered to the RAF in June 2023, with delivery of the eighth Shadow R Mk2 aircraft before the end of 2025"
James Gray, Raytheon 海角视频 managing director of cyber, space and training said: “This additional contract builds on the long-term sustainment contract awarded to Raytheon 海角视频, which provides through-life support to the Shadow fleet a few years ago.
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“The upgrade is being performed at the company’s facility in Broughton, Wales. Other Raytheon 海角视频’s sites across the United Kingdom – including at RAF Waddington and Harlow – will also contribute.
“We are invested in the British workforce and developing sovereign 海角视频 capability. This contract has secured 150 jobs at our Broughton facility and additional jobs throughout our supply chain in Wales and further around the country. We will work with an ecosystem of 海角视频 suppliers to ensure the programme benefits from the latest technology and that suppliers across the region have the opportunity to contribute to the upgrade.”