The federal government has signed a $232 million contract extension with GE to provide sustainment for F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler engines for the Royal Australian Air Force, Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne has announced.
Under the new arrangement, GE is set to provide engineering, supply and maintenance support for 84 engines until June 2025. Work in support of the contract will continue to be completed by GE and Queensland aerospace company TAE at RAAF Base Amberley.
“The engine support contract will be an essential element of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft support base, with these aircraft providing us with an enhanced multi-role air combat and electronic attack capability to protect Australia’s national interest,” said Air Commodore Hoffmann, Director General Air Combat Systems.
https://twitter.com/Defence_CASG/status/804486699690508288
GE currently provides total logistics support for the engines that power the RAAF’s Hornets and Super Hornets under a performance-based logistics program. Since 2011, GE has met or exceeded program service and availability requirements, which are measured monthly, the company stated.
This contract extension adds support for the Growler’s F414-GE-404, which also powers the Super Hornet, allowing GE to manage these engines as a common and interchangeable fleet.
The 12 Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft will be based at Amberley from 2017.
Minister Pyne said the contract extension would “support more than 40 jobs” at Amberley.
