Lockheed Martin, Pilatus Aircraft team for AIR 5428
A new team is in the running for the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 5428 pilot training system (PTS) programme, with the announcement that Lockheed Martin and Pilatus Aircraft will team to compete for the contract.
The consortium, known as Team 21, will be supported by Hawker Pacific, and will draw on its experience in providing the Pilot Training Basic Wings Course to the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The team is in the seventh year of a 20 year performance-based contract for that programme.
Air 5428 will provide the Australian Air Force, Army and Navy with a new fixed wing PTS. The system will provide platforms for flight screening and cover all facets of undergraduate pilot training from basic flying up to entry into air force Lead-In Fighter and Operational Conversion Units.
Raydon Gates, chief executive, Lockheed Martin Australia, said: ‘Our team builds on an existing and highly successful relationship between Lockheed Martin and Pilatus Aircraft. We have a proven track record of providing a flexible, low-risk solution using the PC-21 aircraft and will leverage this experience to offer a training programme that can evolve with mission requirements.’
Markus Bucher, chief executive officer, Pilatus, added: ‘It became very clear after a thorough review of potential partners that the existing alignment of Lockheed Martin, Pilatus and Hawker Pacific would deliver the best overall customer outcome, not only for the Australian Defence Force, but also for on-going operational budgets and taxpayers, to deliver best value for money.’
In September BAE Systems announced that it will team with industry partners CAE and Beechcraft to develop a potential solution for the programme.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![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.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
