General Dynamics UK has signed its first contract with an Indian customer, delivering an innovative approach to sharing its Intellectual Property (IP) with its Indian partner. The company signed a £4.9 million seven-year contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to support the Indian Air Force’s fleet of Hawk aircraft. General Dynamics UK has been contracted by HAL to establish an overhaul capability to provide 3rd and 4th line servicing for all the Indian Air Force’s & Navy’s Hawk MK 132 aircraft’s Stores Management Systems (SMS). The Hawk SMS includes two Weapons Control Panels (WCP) and one Weapons Programming Unit (WPU) manufactured and supplied by General Dynamics UK.
General Dynamics UK’s key activities during this five-year support contract will include:
- Provision of Intellectual Property (IP), technical publications as well as training to the user community
- Programme set-up and facilities analysis
- Supply of a 3rd/4th line test set*
- Provision of spare parts and reference units
- In-Service Support for the duration of the contract
A key component of the contract agreed is the licensing of General Dynamics UK’s Intellectual Property (IP) such as documents, training & technology to HAL for the service life of Indian Hawk. This type of licensing, which is a key requirement of the Indian Ministry of Defence, is a clear demonstration of General Dynamics UK’s intention to be a good business partner for India.
What is the Hawk 132 Stores Management System?
The Hawk 132 Stores Management System allows the pilot of the aircraft to monitor and operate its weapons, external pods and external fuel tanks. As part of this overall system, the General Dynamics UK-built WCP and WPU allow the pilot to monitor and operate the aircraft’s weapon systems. The Hawk 132 is designed to carry a centreline gun pod (normally a 30mm ADEN cannon) and two wing tip stations with four under-wing pylon stations.
“I am delighted to announce General Dynamics UK’s first Indian contract, signed less than 12 months after entering the Indian market,” said Dr. Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK. “India is a key market for General Dynamics UK and this contract plays to just one of our many core competencies – Avionics. I look forward to delivering other key capabilities to our Indian customers in the near future such as Battlefield Management System (BMS), Airfield Security and Armoured Fighting Vehicles.”
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