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Hawker Pacific has announced it has recently been awarded a new Defence Science Technology (DST) Defence Experimentation Airborne Platform (DEAP) contract, valid until 2025.
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DEAP, a specifically modified Beech 1900C aircraft, is Australia’s only dedicated defence intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) airborne experimental platform. Hawker Pacific is responsible for delivery of its design engineering and certification, maintenance, and flight operations services.
Craig Purry, vice president of government business APAC, Jet Aviation, said, “We are delighted to be chosen again for this strategic program, which will build on our existing relationships with the Australian Defence Force.”
This contract award extends Hawker Pacific’s maintenance, operation and support services to DST between 2012 and 2020. During this time, Hawker Pacific supported the DEAP Program with over 25,000 hours in design engineering and certifications for over a dozen ISR configurations in support of R&D trials and operational tasks.
DEAP undertakes innovative scientific experimentation and operational test and evaluation in advanced airborne sensing and sensor systems. It is a key enabling capability for Australia’s defence and national security and was recently displayed during Australia’s catastrophic bushfires for Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20.
“Through DEAP, we will continue to apply Hawker Pacific’s proven agile and flexible capabilities to meet Defence Science and Technology's ISR requirements and end-to-end ISR system trials,” Purry added.
DEAP monitored and reported on fire activity and conducted damage assessments for state and federal government agencies. The modified Beech 1900C DEAP aircraft is owned by DST but is flown by Hawker Pacific under its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) for the Department of Defence.
While the DEAP program is managed with the Hawker Pacific team in Adelaide, its design engineering and certification is conducted under Hawker Pacific’s Bankstown CASR Part 21.M authorisation and maintained under its CAR 30 approval.
Luke Hallam, DEAP program manager, Hawker Pacific, added, “Our team of design engineers, maintenance engineers, pilots and support personnel have worked closely with DST for the last eight years in support of their research and development (R&D) activities. We are pleased to continue working with the DST management, scientists, engineers and integration experts in support of their ISR R&D and are proud to be able to continue contributing to Australia’s Defence capability.”
As a prime contractor to Defence under the leadership of General Dynamics and Jet Aviation, Hawker Pacific continues to leverage its world-class team and draw on its 40 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region to offer a complete range of professional aviation services, including design and integration of airborne surveillance and special mission systems.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
