The aircraft carry 20,000 tonnes of freight every year on high-capacity, high-priority overnight services linking Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The renewal of the freighter contract between Cobham and AaE takes the 17-year relationship into its third decade. AaE is Australia's leading air freight provider and is jointly owned by Qantas and Australia Post.

The BAe 146QTs operate at near 100 per cent on-time reliability - vital in the air freight industry. The two Series 300s, based in Adelaide and Brisbane, each carry up to 11.5 tonnes of freight, while the BAe 146-100QT, based in Cairns, carries 7.5 tonnes.

As well as providing significant and cost-effective freight capacity, the BAe 146QTs have a low noise profile which allows Cobham to operate scheduled services during curfew hours, ensuring that critical overnight mail and freight is delivered on time.

Steve Doughty, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing for the Asset Management business of BAE Systems said:

"Cobham Aviation Services Australia has been a valued and long-standing customer of ours for around 20 years and has operated numerous BAe 146s during that time. The BAe 146/Avro RJ family has a lot to offer the Australian market and will remain in service there for many years to come and we look forward to a continuing and developing relationship with Cobham."

In addition to the three freighters, the company operates a further 10 BAe 146 Series 100, 200 and 300s on behalf of multinational mining companies on Fly in- Fly Out (FIFO) contracts, notably in Western Australia. A single Avro RJ 70 is also operated on scheduled air services for Australia's Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

In addition to the BAe 146QT purchase, Cobham has also extended a lease on a BAe 146-300 passenger airliner (E3217) with BAE Systems.

BAE Systems Asset Management continues to market the BAe 146QT and is currently offering Series 200 and 300 aircraft from its portfolio, as well as remarketing Series 200QT and QC aircraft on behalf of Titan Airways.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded GBP18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion)in 2008.

CONTACT: David Dorman, BAE Systems Tel: +44 (0)1582 488 336 Fax: +44 (0)1582 488 447 e-mail: david@dorwaypr.co.uk BAE Systems Tel: +44 (0)1252 384 605 Fax: +44 (0)1252 383 947 Tel: +44 (0)7801 717 739(24hr)

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.

Linda Hudson said: "Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and skills in both financial and operational management from his time in the defense and aerospace industry. He has an established track record in BAE Systems, having served as CFO for our U.S. business, as well as in operational roles. With his recent experience leading the Land & Armaments lines of business, I am confident that he is best placed to take forward the Land & Armaments group. As we face challenging times ahead, he will continue to deliver our global Land strategy in support of our customers."

Bob has served as Executive Vice President of the Land & Armaments Operating Group since November 2008 and has been Acting President since Linda Hudson's move to President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded GBP 18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.

Notes to Editors

Biography of Robert T. Murphy President -- Land & Armaments Operating Group

Robert (Bob) Murphy was named President, Land & Armaments Operating Group on November 5, 2009. Land & Armaments is the world's largest military vehicle and equipment business, with operations in South Africa, Sweden, Germany, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

In his previous role, Murphy was Executive Vice President, Land & Armaments Operating Group, responsible for the execution and delivery of customer requirements, financial commitments, and continuous improvement of the operations within the Land & Armaments Operating Groups. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for financial accountability for the company's U.S.-based operating groups, which collectively employ some 56,000 employees in the U.S., U.K., Sweden and South Africa.

Murphy has also previously served as the President of BAE Systems Technology Solutions Sector, a provider of tailored, integrated technical and professional services solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, Federal, Civilian, Government, and Homeland Security markets.

He originally joined BAE Systems in 1999 as Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial Officer following 18 years at General Electric, where he provided financial leadership for several major divisions.

Murphy holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. During his career, he has also completed numerous advanced financial management and senior leadership programs.

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SOURCE: BAE Systems

BAE Systems 
Scott Fazekas, +1 301-838-6957 
Mobile: +1 240-328-3603 
scott.fazekas@baesystems.com 
or 
Lindsay Walls, + 44 (0) 1252 383074 
Mobile: 44 (0) 7793 427582 
lindsay.walls@baesystems.com 
www.baesystems.com

The five-year contract will be managed from BAE Systems' new facility in Melbourne, Florida, recently opened to accommodate the company's growing presence along the Space Coast. The new contract includes an initial one-year award of $4 million, plus four option years. Work will be performed on-site at the Air Force base. The company currently employs 80 people at the facility and expects to hire up to 40 network design engineers and installation technicians over the next year.

BAE Systems' Melbourne facility also supports the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defense, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $34.4 billion in 2008.

SOURCE: BAE Systems

BAE Systems 
Neil Franz, +1 301-838-6112 
Mobile: +1 240-687-0127 
neil.franz@baesystems.com 
or 
Shannon Smith, +1 703-907-8257 
Mobile: +1 703-967-3854 
shannon.n.smith@baesystems.com 
www.baesystems.com

"Sales of the Avro Business Jet have increased significantly in the past 18 months clearly demonstrating that the combination of a pre-owned BAe 146/Avro RJ together with an innovative interior results in a strong, cost-effective contender for the larger business jet market and at a fraction of the cost and timescale of new production line aircraft."

The aircraft acquired by Gill Group is a BAe 146-200 which has just been delivered. Bristol-based Waypoint Aviation sourced the aircraft and advised Gill Group throughout the acquisition of the aircraft and will project manage the conversion into a 46-seat executive shuttle.

The Avro Business Jet (ABJ) will enter service during the second quarter of 2010 and will be based within the Midlands region of the UK. Upon entering service the aircraft will be operated by Gill Group's newly-formed 'in house' flight department.

The Gill Group, founded by Chief Executive and owner Mr Raj Gill, specialises in large airport and motorway infrastructure construction. The company has offices in the UK and UAE and has recently completed a new apron area at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Mr Nim Baines, Chief Operating Officer for the Gill Group said today:

"The ABJ offers a very practical and cost-effective solution to our corporate travel needs and we very much look forward to integrating it into our business."

The addition of Gill Group to the list of ABJ customers means that there are now 26 ABJs delivered or contracted. The aircraft has been acquired by governments, individuals, and corporate shuttle operators. Executive charter operators are also customers and the market in Europe for such specialist services is proving to be robust.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded GBP18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion)in 2008.

CONTACT: David Dorman, BAE Systems Tel: +44 (0)1582 488 336 Fax: +44 (0)1582 488 447 e-mail: david@dorwaypr.co.uk BAE Systems Tel: +44 (0)1252 384 605 Fax: +44 (0)1252 383 947 Tel: +44 (0)7801 717 739 (24hr)

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com.