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| Royal Australian Air Force’s Air Commodore Adam Brown, Air Vice-Marshal Leigh Gordon, AM, CSM and Lockheed Martin Australia representatives, Raydon Gates and Jon Rambeau sign the Australian Pilot Training System contract. Photo: Lockheed Martin |
[Avionics Today 12-09-2015] The Australian Department of Defense has awarded the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System contract to Lockheed Martin-led Team 21 to train the next generation of Australian Defense Force pilots. The initial seven-year program is valued at $867 million. Performance-based options for up to 25 years will provide the opportunity to extend the length and increase the value of the total contract. Alongside partners Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific, Lockheed Martin will lead the delivery of an integrated solution tailored for all future pilots for the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin will provide overall project management for the pilot training system and deliver a family of integrated ground-based training technologies. Pilatus Aircraft will provide PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness support. Hawker Pacific will provide maintenance services and fleet support and leverage its established supply chain in Australia.