Military Procurement International Vol. 19, No. 9, May 1, 2009
Copyright DAPSS S.A., 200
9, Switzerland. It is unlawful to reproduce any of this publication without written permission from the publisher.
BRAZIL
Support
for long-range surveillance radars
On April 15, Lockheed
Martin was awarded a US$1.6 million contract by the Brazilian
Air Force (FAB) to support six of its TPS-77 (known in Brazil as the
TPS-B34) long-range air surveillance radars currently monitoring airspace in the
Amazon region.
Since their installation
between 2000 and 2005, the radars have been an integral part of the Brazilian
Integrated Air Traffic Control and Air Defence System (SISDACTA), also supplying
information to the Amazon Protection System (SIPAM), a complex network of
ground-based and airborne sensors providing surveillance in the region,
implemented by the Amazon Surveillance System (SIVAM) project.
The TPS-77s have dual-use capability, providing both air surveillance and Air Traffic Control (ATC). Under the terms of the contract, Lockheed Martin will provide technical support for the six radar systems and on-the-job training for Brazilin radar technicians. The one-year contract includes options to extend the support by up to five years.