BAE, IBM team for air defense work LONDON, July 13 (UPI) -- BAE Systems and IBM in Britain have partnered in a bid for the first phase contract of an air defense program. The British program, called Network Enabled Airspace Defense & Surveillance, is a future ground-based system to replace Rapier missiles and introduce networked air defense command and control architecture for deployed forces. The companies said software components are already used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Artillery, and the combined approach of the partnering will provide a low-risk, price effective solution. "Our teaming with IBM for the NEADS program will bring a step change in capability at what we believe will be very low risk," said Alun Fishburne, managing director of BAE Systems, Defense Information. By joining together we are offering proven systems into one integrated solution. Added Phillip Jolley, IBM Global Business Services Operational Information Systems lead for Public Sector, said, "The capability to integrate and build on operationally proven solutions offers a low risk approach to what is a very important program for future U.K. joint operations." Additional details were not provided.