Ascent obtains additional UK flight training contract
Four new Texan T1 trainer aircraft arrived at RAF Valley in December 2020 under the MFTS programme. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
Second ‘uplift’ contract under MFTS includes more Texan trainers and simulators.
UK MoD procurement body Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has awarded incumbent provider Ascent Flight Training an extra £175 million ($239.25 million) contract under the UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme for student pilots.
Basic flying training within MFTS will increase capacity from 36 to 53 students per year from 2024, the MoD noted in a 27 October announcement.
The latest contract includes delivery of four new Texan T6C Texan II aircraft (designated Texan T1 by the RAF) that arrived at RAF Valley in November 2020; a new static flight simulator; nine Texan mission planning systems; and additional infrastructure at RAF Valley.
Cdre Mark Langrill, head of MFTS at DE&S, said: ‘This second significant uplift to the training system follows on from the Rotary Wing training amendment awarded in December 2019. The additional Fixed Wing capacity provided will enable Fast Jet pilots of the future to train in a ‘state of the art’ facility [at RAF Valley] with modern aircraft and synthetic training devices before proceeding to the Hawk Advanced Jet Training pipeline.’
Ascent is a JV between Babcock International and Lockheed Martin, supported by supply chain partner Affinity Flight Training.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Training
-
![British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four]()
British Army Strategic Training Partner bidders drop from seven to four
Three of the bidding consortia have dropped out of the competition to become STP for the British Army Collective Training Service.
-
![What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?]()
What is preventing the US Pentagon from succeeding in multi-domain scenarios?
Outstanding issues to be addressed include improving doctrine, increasing the number of joint exercises and better integrating capabilities across the services.
-
![AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape]()
AI innovation set to revolutionise military training landscape
Artificial intelligence offers unprecedented potential to revolutionise military training, enabling agile and decisive forces.
-
![Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)]()
Training Together: Unlocking Educational Excellence through Military and Industry Collaboration (Studio)
Military training is ultimately about people. At Capita, training programmes are built on close engagement with partners, delivering an educational approach that can adapt to individual needs, cultivate leadership – and drive wider cultural change.
-
![Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School]()
Three A-29 Super Tucanos find new home at US Air Force Test Pilot School
Embraer’s light attack aircraft were selected by Edwards Air Force Base to join its test pilot school, following their abandonment by US Air Force Special Operations Command.
-
![Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)]()
Enhancing Military Training Through Digital Technology (Studio)
Digital technologies offer huge opportunities for defence training. However, militaries must adopt an agile approach, placing the needs of their organisations and personnel at the centre of their efforts.
