Royal Navy flying training is receiving a significant boost thanks to a £57M service contract with Ascent, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and VT Group. This new contract will provide an incremental approach to Basic Observer Training improving the current course with the Basic Flying Training phase carried out in new aircraft.
The new Basic Observer Course will be delivered by Ascent in three phases. Phases 1 (Introductory Flying Training and Common Core Ground School) and 2 (Elementary Navigation Training) will be conducted at RAF Barkston Heath, the flying elements being delivered on the Grob 115Es, owned by the VT Group. Phase 3 (Basic Flying Training) will be conducted at RNAS Culdrose on four new MOD-owned Beechcraft B350ER King Air aircraft. The contract in-turn includes a sub-contract between Ascent and Cobham plc that will see FR Aviation, part of Cobham, integrate a radar and tactical mission training system into the King Air aircraft and thereafter conduct maintenance and continuing airworthiness services.
Valerie Evans, Head of the Defence Equipment and Support Flying Training Support Team which encompasses the UK Military Flying Training System said:
“We are delighted to have secured this latest stage of the UK Military Flying Training System with the signing of the Rear Crew Stage 1 Training Service Contract with our industry partner Ascent for the delivery of the Royal Navy Basic Observer Course. We believe this is a prime example of the integrated approach the MoD is now taking with its industry partners to deliver world class training systems for UK military personnel destined for front line service.”
Royal Navy Observers are key members of the crew in all maritime helicopters. Successful graduates from the course will be appointed to their Operational Conversion Units prior to employment on frontline Royal Navy Sea King ASaC, Lynx Mk8 and Merlin Mk 1 helicopter squadrons.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The UKMFTS programme will cater for the different training needs of the entire flying element of the UK front-line, ranging from fast-jet pilots and weapons systems operators, through helicopter and multi-engine pilots to all the rear crew personnel. 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 C17.
Initial flying training for these officers is currently achieved through the Royal Navy Basic Observer Course flying in the Jetstream T Mk 2. These aircraft reach their planned Out of Service Date (OSD) in March 2011. In order to minimise the potential of a capability shortfall, an incremental approach is being adopted to Basic Observer Training within the UK Military Flying training Service construct with the Rear Crew Training Stage 1 Contract preceding a full solution at Stage 2 covering fourteen other aircrew roles including navigation and weapons operations.
The Basic Observer Training delivered via the Rear Crew Stage 1 training solution also encompasses Ground Based Training Equipment and a Training Management and Information System supplied by Lockheed Martin STS and Infrastructure and Information Computer Technology supplied by the VT Group.
The programme will help reinforce the UK’s reputation for delivering unequalled flying training and ensure front-line forces will in future train on significantly more capable aircraft and facilities under a more effective and streamlined instruction package
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