Avro RJs at London City Airport. BAE Systems Asset Management was founded in 1993 to manage the portfolio of BAe 146/Avro RJ jetliners and the ATP and Jetstream turboprop airliners. Over the past 17 years to the end of 2010, the organisation has concluded more than 1800 lease, sale and other transactions, worth in excess of US$3.1 billion. Courtesy of BAE Systems

London, United Kingdom - May 26, 2011

BAE Systems announces agreement to sell Regional Aircraft Fleet and Asset Management business

BAE Systems announced today an agreement to sell its commercial aircraft lease portfolio and Asset Management business to investment affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE:FIG).

Avro RJ Landing at London City Airport. Courtesy of BAE Systems

The sale, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011, is for a cash consideration of $187 million, subject to certain post-completion adjustments.

Avro RJ Landing at London City Airport. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Completion is conditional, amongst other things, upon regulatory approval.

Avro RJ at London City Airport. Courtesy of BAE Systems

The business, known as BAE Systems Asset Management, is the world's second largest regional jet lessor by fleet value and the tenth largest aircraft lessor by fleet size.

Jetstream 41 EasyFly. Courtesy of BAE Systems

It has 16 lease customers in 11 countries.

Jetstream 32 in Flight. Courtesy of BAE Systems

The business is responsible for the management of 151 commercial aircraft owned by BAE Systems, which are included within the sale, plus the management of third party owned commercial aircraft on behalf of airlines and investors.

Jetstream 31 in flight. Courtesy of BAE Systems

The support and engineering activities of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft are not included in this sale.

Jetstream 41 turboprop flightdeck. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Alan Fraser, Managing Director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said today,
"We are pleased to confirm the sale of BAE Systems' regional aircraft fleet and Asset Management business. We believe that this business will have a promising future and that we have found a buyer with the resources and expertise to support the growth of this activity.”
"BAE Systems Regional Aircraft support and engineering businesses will continue to provide the full range of support to the new owner, including continuing airworthiness and engineering services. We are looking forward to continuing our close working relationship with the Asset Management business under its new ownership."

Jetstream 41 turboprop interior. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Peter Briger, Co-Chairman of Fortress Investment Group and head of Fortress's Credit business, said,
"We believe that this will prove an outstanding investment for our Limited Partners, and anticipate that Regional Aircraft's proven business model, and scalability that can support significant growth over time."

ABJ RJ100 VIP Interior. Courtesy of BAE Systems

In connection with the disposal of this business, BAE Systems has also entered into an agreement enabling the redemption of $514 million of the Series G Equipment Notes and Series B Equipment Notes issued under the Systems 2001 Asset Trust financing, a private placement of debt securities completed in 2001.

Jetstream 32 turboprop airline interior. Courtesy of BAE Systems

This will be funded from BAE Systems' available resources.

Avro RJ Corporate Interior. Courtesy of BAE Systems

BAE Systems Asset Management was founded in 1993 to manage the portfolio of BAe 146/Avro RJ jetliners and the ATP and Jetstream turboprop airliners.

New Avro RJ Sale and Leaseback Deal with Brussels Airlines. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Over the past 17 years to the end of 2010, the organisation has concluded more than 1800 lease, sale and other transactions, worth in excess of US$3.1 billion.

BAe 146-200QT TNT Courtesy of BAE Systems

The business is predominantly based in the UK and employs approximately 70 people.

Avro RJ at London City Airport. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Fortress is a leading global investment manager with approximately $43.1 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2011.

BAe 146, London City Airport landing. Courtesy of BAE Systems

Fortress offers alternative and traditional investment products and was founded in 1998.

For more information regarding Fortress Investment Group LLC, please visit

www.fortress.com  


For further information contact:

Lindsay Walls, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1252 383074 Mob: +44 (0)7793427582
Lindsay.walls@baesystems.com

Leonie Foster, BAE Systems
Tel: +44(0)1252 383777 Mob: + +44 (0)7540 630168
Leonie.foster@baesystems.com

Issued by:

BAE Systems
Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710
Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com  


Source: BAE Systems

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/  



Ian King

Chief Executive of BAE Systems

Ian King Courtesy of BAE Systems

Ian was appointed Chief Executive of BAE Systems with effect from 1 September 2008 having originally been appointed to the Board of Directors as Chief Operating Officer, UK and Rest of the World at the beginning of 2007.

Ian started his career at Marconi in 1976 as a graduate entrant where he spent ten years in manufacturing at the company's defence electronics manufacturing operations in Scotland and Portsmouth.

From 1986-92 Ian was Finance Director of Marconi Defence Systems where he introduced programme management and project reporting systems, which were adopted as the Marconi Electronic Systems standards.

He was Finance Director of Marconi Electronic Systems from 1992 to 1998, during this period he was appointed a non-executive director of the Canadian Marconi company and director of Marconi's two Anglo/French joint ventures in Space and Sonar.

Ian was the first Chief Executive of Alenia Marconi Systems, the joint venture between Marconi and Finmeccanica of Italy formed in December 1998.

On completion of the British Aerospace / Marconi merger in November 1999, Ian was appointed Group Strategy and Planning Director reporting to the Chief Executive and responsible for the initial Strategic Business Plan for BAE Systems.

Ian was appointed to the post of Group Managing Director for Customer Solutions & Support (CS&S) at the start of 2001 responsible for growing a support and services business in the UK and international markets.

In addition to leading the CS&S business, Ian was responsible for the integration of the Alvis business into a new Land Systems business following its acquisition in September 2004.

This business has subsequently grown following further acquisitions and BAE Systems Land and Armaments is now a global leader in the industry.

Ian is also a non-executive director of Rotork plc, a world leader in the field of actuators, systems and services, for motorisation and manual operation of adaptions.

Ian is 53 and is married with one son.

He lives in Portsmouth and is a lifetime supporter of Portsmouth Football Club.

He enjoys a variety of ball sports, particularly golf, football and cricket.


Source: BAE Systems

http://www.baesystems.com/



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