Cobham delivers B350ER King Air Aircraft to Ascent for flight training
Cobham has delivered four converted Hawker-Beechcraft B350ER King Air special mission aircraft to Ascent Flight Training Limited for the United Kingdom Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). The delivery occurred 9 June at a ceremony at Cobham Aviation Services’ facility adjacent to Bournemouth International Airport, UK.
“These aircraft, and the services provided by Ascent and Cobham, offer the Royal Navy a huge leap in its capability to conduct primary flight training of aircrew,” said Des Taylor, general manager of Cobham Aviation Services.
Royal Navy and Ascent personnel will use these four aircraft to train RN Observers to navigate and operate their aircraft tactically, prior to commencing operational flying training on Lynx, Merlin and Sea King helicopters. Fitted out with twin Student training consoles and twin Instructor consoles, the aircraft will be equipped with a 360-degree Telephonic RDR1700A under-belly radar and full navigation and communications suites. The onboard training system will be managed by CAE’s Tactical Mission Trainer software system, which will include the Blue Ridge synthetic radar embedded within. Collectively, this new system will enable numerous opportunities to “download” training from later stages in the training pipeline. The Royal Australian Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces use a similar system for training their tactical navigators.
Cobham Aviation Services at Bournemouth International Airport received the approximately £20 million contract from Ascent during mid-2009 to convert these aircraft for the role, and to provide daily in-service support for an initial period of five years at RNAS Culdrose, commencing 1st July 2011. These King Air aircraft replace the now retired Jetstream T2 aircraft, and will be operated by 750 Naval Air Squadron at Culdrose.
Source: Cobham Aviation Services
More from Defence Notes
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
