helix

The Requirement
Project Helix will upgrade the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet of Nimrod R Mk1 aircraft. This intelligence upgrade to the British Nimrod platform focuses on maintaining the capability of the Nimrod R out to 2025 and includes upgrades to the aircraft mission systems, associated ground stations and training facilities. The Project Helix programme has a projected value in excess of £400 million over a 13-year period. The Nimrod R is the RAF electronic reconnaissance aircraft that examines routine radio and radar emissions and provides electronic combat support to military commanders. The project will be run within the DLO’s Nimrod Integrated Project Team (IPT) based at RAF Wyton.

Contract Status
Lockheed Martin has been selected by the MOD for an assessment phase contract worth £4.85m. This part of the assessment phase will last until September 2006, at which time there will be a further down-select and a single team will then proceed to a risk reduction stage. This first increment of the implementation phase – worth approximately £200 million – will be awarded in early 2007.

The Role of Lockheed Martin UK
The programme is being led by our Denver office (part of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Systems and Solutions Business Unit). Lockheed Martin UK are providing in-country assistance to LM ISS, Denver in a number of key areas including contract administration, data management, requirements analysis and subcontractor management.

News article:
LOCKHEED MARTIN SELECTED FOR NEXT STAGE OF NIMROD ‘R’ UPGRADE PROGRAMME