EADS N.V. - EADS Test & Services (UK) Ltd provides maintenance services for British Army optronics systems

EADS Test & Services (UK) Ltd has been awarded a £1.6m maintenance services contract from Thales UK’s Glasgow-based optronics business for continued support of the UK MoD's General Purpose Thermal Imager Repair Facility (GPTIRF). This contract is part of an on-going programme of work which will involve EADS Test & Services (UK) Ltd continuing to support this equipment to enable it to respond to the constant changes in today’s military requirements.

GPTIRF supports battle-winning systems such as the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and the Starstreak High Velocity Missile. It is a vehicle mounted Optronic Repair Facility which is used to test and diagnose failures in electro-optical Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) deployed by UK land forces. GPTIRF carries out repairs as far forward as is operationally possible and technically feasible enabling technicians to repair complex armoured fighting vehicle Sighting Systems in a heated, well lit, clean environment.

Commenting on the contract win, Doug McGinn, CEO Test & Services (UK) said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract which will see us playing a key role in the future of GPTIRF, deployed in what are often difficult and challenging circumstances. We look forward to continuing our successful working relationships with Thales and the MOD on this important programme of work.”

GPTIRF entered service 20 years ago and has been supported since then by Thales UK and EADS Test & Services (UK) Ltd through Post Design Services (PDS) and maintenance contracts. It is expected to be in service until 2035 in line with the equipments it supports.

Thales UK’s optronics facility in Glasgow is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and EADS Test & Services (UK) Ltd the principal subcontractor. The maintenance part of the contract will cover the next three years and the PDS element will cover two-and-a-half years starting at the end of the current PDS contract.

EADS Test & Services is an integrated activity of EADS Defence & Security (DS). DS is a systems solutions provider for armed forces and civil security worldwide. Its portfolio ranges from sensors and secure networks through missiles to aircraft and UAVs as well as global security, service and support solutions. In 2007, DS - with around 22,000 employees - achieved revenues of €5.5 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of €39.1 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.