(Photo: Rob Hynes)

13:43 GMT, February 8, 2010 WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales | Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has been awarded a $1.5 million contract for the provision of engineering support services for the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) fleet of F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft.

The 30-month contract, managed by the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office (TFSPO) at RAAF Base Williamtown, requires Boeing Defence Australia to deliver repair plans for faults uncovered during F/A-18A/B Hornet maintenance.

"This contract maintains our F/A-18 engineering capability as it increases our overall business on the platform," said Brad Hume, Boeing Defence Australia F/A-18 program manager.

Boeing Defence Australia has delivered engineering support services to the TFSPO for the past six years. It also continues to perform Hornet Upgrade Phase 2.3, which involves upgrading the Electronic Warfare Self Protection Suite on 68 aircraft and modifying 76 wing pylons. Phase 2.3 is expected to be completed in 2012.

"The RAAF's decision to award this contract to us demonstrates their faith in Boeing's ability to support the F/A-18 platform," Hume said. "We will continue working closely with our customer to maintain the Hornet's air combat capability."

Under the new contract, engineering services will now be delivered under Boeing Defence Australia's Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) certificate.