Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 July 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Tornado F3 aircraft will not be fitted with Helmet Mounted Sight capability for ASRAAM.

Answer: Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Tornado F3 aircraft will not be fitted with Helmet Mounted Sight capability for ASRAAM. [125601] Mr. Ingram: Fitting Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS) to Tornado F3 to operate the Advanced Short-Range Air- to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) could not be achieved before 2005. Carrying out the required integration work would disrupt the aircraft's operational availability until then. Tornado F3 is expected to retire from service by 2009. It would not, therefore, be cost-effective to fit HMS to Tornado F3 to operate ASRAAM.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 125601; 409 c478W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Defence equipment Military aircraft Guided weapons Antiaircraft missiles Tornado aircraft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk