SYDNEY / August 26, 2020 - Hawker Pacific announces it has recently been awarded a new Defence Science Technology (DST) Defence Experimentation Airborne Platform (DEAP) contract, valid until 2025. DEAP, a specifically modified Beech 1900C aircraft, is Australia’s only dedicated Defence Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) airborne experimental platform. Hawker Pacific is responsible for delivery of its design engineering and certification, maintenance, and flight operations services.
This contract award extends Hawker Pacific’s maintenance, operation and support services to DST between 2012 – 2020. During this time, Hawker Pacific supported the DEAP Program with over 25,000 hours in design engineering and certifications for over a dozen ISR configurations in support of R&D trials and operational tasks.
DEAP undertakes innovative scientific experimentation and operational test and evaluation in advanced airborne sensing and sensor systems. It is a key enabling capability for Australia’s Defence and National Security and was recently displayed during Australia’s catastrophic bushfires for Operation Bushfire Assist 19/20. DEAP monitored and reported on fire activity and conducted damage assessments for State and Federal Government agencies.