§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what delay has been caused to the ground proximity warning system trials by the accident on 1 June 1995; and what is the estimated service entry date for the equipment on each aircraft type. [34644]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe accident on 1 June 1995 involving a Harrier GR7 undertaking RAF assessments of ground proximity warning systems, GPWS, equipment caused no delay to the programme to fit GPWS to the GR7 or the associated trials being conducted for the procurement executive. It is expected that the first modified GR7 will be delivered to the RAF in early 1998. The Jaguar is being fitted with similar equipment, and the first modified aircraft is scheduled to enter service in October of this year. Eurofighter 2000 will have a GPWS capability from the outset of its entry into service in 2001. In addition to these mainly single-seater aircraft, the need for GPWS equipment, and its precise date of entry into service, for the two-seater Tornado GR4 is under consideration.