§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the changes made to the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme initiated by MLU93. [107463]
342Win cities, (j) New Deal for Schools, (k) voluntary aided schools capital grant, (1) energy efficiency, (m) education standard spending assessment and (n) music. [109047]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe information requested is as follows:
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what changes have been made to the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme initiated by MLU93. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The MLU93 programme includes the following changes to the Tornado GR/1 aircraft:
- Upgraded avionics & weapons control software
- Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
- Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR)
- Mil Std 1760 Weapons Databus
- Mil Std 1553 Avionics Databus
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Covert Radar Altimeter (CRA)
- A new wide angle Head up Display (HUD)
- A new Front Cockpit Digital Map
- TIALD integration
- Laser-guided munitions
- Defensive Aids Sub System
In addition, the wiring changes (databuses) and software enabled later integration of a wide range of advanced weapons. Indeed, the MLU programme now comprises further advanced systems, including Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), Havequick II343W(electronically protected radios), Identification Friend or Foe Mk 12 and the fleet-wide fit of the Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD).The number of aircraft to be upgraded was however reduced from 161 to 142 and the Terrain Referenced Navigation system was removed from the original programme.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR/1s have been successfully upgraded to GR/4; how many are in upgrade servicing; how many are awaiting upgrade; and what is the estimated completion date of the upgrade programme. [107465]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked how many Tornado GR1s have been successfully upgraded to GR4; how many are in upgrade servicing; how many are awaiting upgrade; and what is the estimated completion date of the upgrade. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.Fifty Tornado GR1s have been successfully upgraded to GR4 standard, twenty-one are currently in upgrade servicing and a further seventy-one aircraft are awaiting upgrade. The Tornado MLU programme is due to be completed in February 2003.Incremental acquisition is a key component of the Tornado MLU programme. For instance, the first 24 aircraft delivered to the RAF were equipped to an initial standard, but have also been fitted to receive further planned upgrades. From aircraft 25 Identification Friend or Foe Mark 12 system and electronically protected radios are being fitted and from aircraft number 61 the full clearance for the Paveway III Laser Guided Bomb, a new Laser Initial Navigation System, Global Positioning System and a Ground Proximity Warning system are added.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost per unit of the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme, including development and production. [107464]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what the total estimated cost per unit of the Tornado GR1 midlife upgrade programme is, including development and production. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The estimated unit cost of the Tornado GR1 midlife update programme, including development and production, at current prices, is £6.8m.