WARTON, England, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- The Italian Air Force's electronic combat/reconnaissance and interdictor/strike Tornado jets will receive midlife upgrades from BAE Systems beginning next year.
BAE said work on the Tornado jets is worth $31 million and is expected to be completed in 2015.
Under the contract BAE will design, develop and manufacture kits for 25 aircraft and provide support to Alenia Aeronautica to install the kits onto the aircraft at their Caselle factory in Turin, Italy.
Improvements include new digital displays replacing the traditional analog ones and full capability to employ night-vision goggles. Also included is the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Link 16, which allows the exchange of near real-time tactical information, including both data and voice, between air, ground and sea assets.
"BAE Systems is already involved in the mid life upgrade of the first batch of Italian Tornadoes and based on our performance and the commitment our team has demonstrated, we're delighted to secure this second contract." Said Steve Debonnaire, BAE Systems Tornado project director. "We will continue to work in close partnership with Alenia, Cassidian and Panavia to ensure this contract is as successful as the last."
This is the last major upgrade of Italian Tornado jets before the out of service date which is currently expected to be before 2030.
Tornado is a multirole fighter aircraft developed and built by Panavia Aircraft GmbH, a tri-national consortium consisting of BAE Systems, Alenia Aeronautica of Italy and Cassidian of Germany.
