U.K. Army and Navy flight training will be transformed under an approximately $1.2 billion contract with Ascent, a Lockheed Martin [LMT] VT Group joint venture, the government said June 2.
“The partnering contract with Ascent brings together MoD and industry skills to deliver a first class flying training capability,” Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, said. “It will significantly improve training for Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army aircrew by bringing together the current range of fragmented training schemes into one modern and cohesive program.”
Ascent will work with the MoD to deliver the UK Military Flight Training System (UKMFTS) designing, delivering and managing ground and flying training across multiple locations in the U.K.
The contract with Ascent as the Training Service Provider is an initial step in a proposed 25-year program.
The UKMFTS program will supply the different training needs of the entire flying element of the U.K. front-line, ranging from fast-jet pilots and weapons systems operators, through helicopter and multi-engine pilots to all the rear crew personnel, a government statement said. It will encompass all flying training for students following selection up to the point they are ready to fly operational aircraft such as Typhoon, Chinook and C-17.
“Working with Ascent we intend to reduce costs and improving overall training times for aircrew and reducing delays between flying courses,” Taylor said.
The first step will be the delivery of Fast Jet Pilot training at RAF Valley in Wales, using the HAWK 128 aircraft, and providing the training infrastructure, including classrooms, simulators and aircraft hangars.