PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
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Tornado
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of the Tornado F3 MLU programme. [62236]
Mr. Ingram: The Tornado F3 fleet has not undergone a Mid-Life Update programme.
A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) onto the aircraft is nearing completion at a cost of £125 million.
In addition, the Tornado F3 fleet is currently undergoing, or planned to undergo, a number of upgrade activities that will maintain the aircraft’s operational capability for the remainder of its in-service life. The work comprises integration of secure communication equipment, a Successor Identification Friend or Foe system, an instrumentation enhancement to aid training and a programme to maximise the effectiveness of the AMRAAM, and will cost an additional £125 million.
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Tornado fighters fitted with AMRAAM to be operational; and what radar system will be fitted to such Tornado fighters. [62230]
Dr. Moonie: There are currently 94 Tornado F3 aircraft operational with Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.
The current radar system fitted to the Tornado F3 is the Foxhunter Air Intercept radar known as the A124. There are no plans to change it.
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the AMRAAM missiles fitted to Tornado F3 aircraft are able to be used to their full capabilities. [62238]
Dr. Moonie: A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) on the Tornado F3 aircraft is nearing completion. A further programme of work to optimise the effectiveness of AMRAAM is currently under way to enable the Tornado F3 fully to exploit the missile’s capability. This work is due to be completed in the spring of next year.
Harrier GR9
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what extra training Sea Harrier pilots will have to undergo to convert to Harrier GR9; and what the cost will be of that training per pilot. [62336]
Mr. Ingram: We expect Sea Harrier FA2 pilots to undertake a course lasting approximately 12 weeks, comprising approximately 35 hours of flying, in order to convert to the Harrier GR7 aircraft. The content of the conversion course has yet to be finalised but the majority of training will be learning how to operate the aircraft weapons systems and sensors.
It is anticipated that the conversion course will be cost neutral because Sea Harrier FA2 pilots would have flown approximately the same number of hours to retain currency in that aircraft during a similar period. No additional resources have therefore been needed for this training.
Tank Regiments
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects work to be completed on the assessment of the airflow around the fuselage of the C130J Hercules aircraft. [62220]
Mr. Ingram: We are currently looking at what effect the airflow characteristics of the C130J Hercules aircraft has on its role in the aerial delivery of paratroopers and material. Separate trials are required for the C130J Mk5 and Mk4 aircraft and it is expected that all elements of the work will be successfully completed by mid-2003.
Contaminated Land
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations cover radioactively contaminated land (a) owned and (b) managed by his Department. [61965]
Mr. Ingram: At present there are no regulations covering specifically radioactively contaminated land. However, a consultation paper on the control and remediation of radioactively contaminated land was jointly published by the then Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Welsh and Scottish Offices in February 1998. The Department for Env