Hundreds of jobs secured at Broughton after Raytheon signs £250m contract to support RAF surveillance aircraft

Hundreds of jobs will be safeguarded in Flintshire following a quarter of a billion pound deal between a US defence giant and Ministry of Defence.

Raytheon has signed a £250m contract to provide support services to the Royal Air Force’s fleet of Shadow surveillance aircraft.

The 11-year contract will secure 200 jobs at Raytheon’s intelligence and surveillance hub in Broughton when work begins in April.

An additional 250 jobs will be sustained within the UK supply chain. “We are safeguarding and creating skilled aerospace jobs in the UK and strengthening the local economy,” said Richard Daniel, chief executive and managing director of Raytheon UK.

“Our work in advanced defence and security systems, cyber protection and skilled training ensures our armed forces have the technology they need to keep the UK safe and secure.”

The contract supports aircraft maintenance, airworthiness management, design organisation and supply chain support of the heavily adapted Beechcraft King Air 350CER.

The Shadow R1 fleet is operated by 14 Sqn from the RAF’s ISR hub at Waddington in Lincolnshire.

Five are in current use, and the UK has committed to adding a further three as part of its 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Raytheon says the contract will also support aircraft modification design for an upgrade the aircraft to the Mk2 version.

“We are creating the world’s leading hub for advanced ISR platforms in Broughton,” said Roland Howell, managing director of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at Raytheon UK.

“We will work with Team Shadow to make sure we deliver  the tactical ISR capability needed for UK defence.”

Shadow R1 is an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft.

Based on the Beechcraft King Air 350CER twin-turboprop aircraft, the Shadow R1 entered service with the RAF in 2009 and supports the ISTAR operational requirements of the UK Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said “this £250 million investment will ensure the UK retains its position as a global leader in battlefield intelligence gathering for UK troops and our NATO allies. 

It is also great news for the economy through the safeguarding of 450 skilled jobs across the country, including 200 in North Wales, confirming the region as a UK centre of excellence for air support.”