Rockwell Unit in Venture to Upgrade F-5 Jets

With some of Rockwell International Corp.’s big-ticket defense programs facing an uncertain future, the company’s Anaheim division has struck up an alliance with an Italian defense contractor to pursue business in the worldwide avionics market.

Officials from Rockwell and Milan-based Fabbrica Italiana Apparecchiature Radioelettriche (FIAR) said Wednesday that they plan to target the growing international market for upgrading electronics gear in military aircraft, particularly the U.S.-made F-5 jet fighter.

The partnership hopes to capture 30% to 40% of the estimated $25-billion worldwide market for military avionics upgrades in the next decade, said Ken McQuade, vice president and general manager of Rockwell’s Autonetics Marine and Aircraft Systems division.

“We see a trend to keep more aircraft around the world in service longer,” McQuade said.

Many nations prefer to retrofit existing military aircraft as a less costly alternative to purchasing expensive new aircraft.

FIAR has developed radar and avionics systems designed to upgrade the world’s aging fleet of F-5 jet fighters, which number about 1,700. FIAR’s Grifo radar systems are unique in their ability to operate in air-to-air, air-to-sea and air-to-ground situations, said Silvano Casini, president and general manager of the company.

The F-5 upgrade package, which extends the life of the 20-year-old aircraft by replacing its radar tracking systems or other electronics gear, would garner $2 million to $5 million in sales per aircraft, McQuade said.

Rockwell has not developed its own F-5 upgrade, McQuade said. Rockwell’s contribution to the venture would be its expertise at combining systems made by different manufacturers, he said.

As part of the deal, Rockwell will have an option to manufacture radar equipment using FIAR technology.

The two firms will face competition primarily from the Israel Aircraft Industries, General Electric and Westinghouse Electric.