Defence has officially signed the contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to provide and support the new ADF Pilot Training System under Air 5428. The company's selection for the program had been announced earlier in September and ADM had foreshadowed the deal was done as far back as May of this year.
The acquisition and services contracts worth $1.2 billion will see Lockheed Martin Australia deliver 49 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, seven Flight Simulators, a modern learning environment for students, and updated courseware along with support for an initial seven-year term.
Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne said the new training system would ensure undergraduate pilots developed the necessary knowledge and skills before progressing to advanced military aircraft.
“Pilots will receive training for aircraft including the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, MH60R Seahawk helicopter, and MRH-90 helicopter,” Minister Payne said.
“For the first time in Australia, pilot training will include simulators in undergraduate training. This will become the new benchmark for training and preparing military pilots for fourth and fifth generation platforms.”
The contracts will see the ADF’s Basic Flying Training delivered from RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria and Advanced Flying Training continuing to be delivered from RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia.
The contracts will provide some 180 contractor jobs throughout Australia as part of the ongoing support and provide replacement aircraft for 4 Squadron and the Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Minister Payne said.
“Defence looks forward to a long term partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia as together we embark on this exciting new phase of pilot training for the ADF.”
The first courses will begin in early 2019 with an annual intake of up to 165 trainee pilots and will allow the ADF to increase in the number of pilot graduates from 77 to 105 pilots each year.