BAE Systems has signed a £ 250 million contract to develop the next generation of UK air defense – protecting hundreds of jobs in Lancashire.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who is also MP for Wyre and Preston North, visited the company’s Warton site Thursday, which employs around 600 people on the Tempest project.
He saw state-of-the-art technology being used to build the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) – the next generation of fighter jets set to be in the air by 2030 and eventually to replace the Typhoon.
The £ 250 million treaty officially marks the beginning of the conceptual and evaluation phase of the program.
Mr. Wallace said, “Today marks a significant step in the next phase of our Future Combat Air System with a multi-million pound investment leveraging the knowledge and skills of our UK industry experts.
“The contract strengthens our already world-leading aerospace industry, will save thousands of jobs across the UK and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of the war against the air.”
He added: “Lancashire is not just a place where people make things, it is a place where they are world leaders.
“This family tree goes far and wide around the world.”
During his visit, Mr. Wallace spoke to workers, including trainees, who are being trained in skills such as robotics and 3D printing at what has been dubbed the Factory of the Future.
The minister said: “The young people I met today, if they play their cards right, can work on it for 25 years.
“BAE has been excellent at promoting continuing education and higher education.
“When I go to Blackpool Sixth Form College, which is in my constituency, I see a lot of boys and girls in science classes and part of that is the pedigree of their families who have worked here.”
Chris Boardman, group managing director of BAE Systems’ Air Sector, added, “The funding announced today is an important next step for the program to bring Tempest to life.
“Tempest is an exciting opportunity for the next generation of talent to develop rewarding careers and to contribute to important work in supporting our nation’s defense.”
Andrew Titterington, 23, from Preston, who will finish his three-year apprenticeship at the end of the year, has just spent half a year learning to 3D print.
He said, “These are the skills my generation needs to be at the forefront of this technology and working on a project like Tempest is a great opportunity.”
Jenny Manning, 32, from Morecambe, joined BAE as an apprentice at the age of 18 and is now an engineer for new technology flows.
She said, “For people like Andrew early in their careers, it’s fantastic to see this next generation of manufacturing technology.
“We see the next level of skill and talent emerging and we will be part of the next generation fighter jet.”
The Tempest project means future pilots will be connected to the systems built into the aircraft they fly, including drones and other military hardware on the ground.
Engineers develop sophisticated sensors that measure the pilot’s brain activity in the cockpit, eye-tracking glasses and cardiac monitors integrated into flight suits.
Steve Formoso, chief test pilot at BAE, said, “Tempest and the systems mean that huge amounts of information are exchanged between the different parts of the system – planes, drones and other vehicles.
“All of this information is there to give you a strategic advantage, and it is important for a pilot to have situational awareness on the battlefield.”
The prototypes also include a helmet that offers a wide field of vision and in which virtual reality can be superimposed on a real outdoor scene.
Steve added, “I would love to fly whatever it is. The range of capabilities and technologies will be enormous and it is really exciting to imagine such a vehicle. ”
The program is run by Team Tempest, which combines the expertise of UK MOD, BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.
All partners currently employ more than 2,000 people on the project, including 800 at BAE, including around 600 at Warton.
The program is expected to make an estimated £ 26.2 billion contribution to the UK economy and support an average of 21,000 jobs per year.
Images – captured by PA
But my pictures are – Chief Test Pilot Steve Formoso with Human Factors Engineer Jack Lennon in the cockpit
Trainees AndrewTitterington and Jenny Manning
