Lockheed Martin Australia and Pilatus Aircraft, supported by Hawker Pacific, have jointly launched a bid to provide a new pilot training system for the Australian Defence Force.
The consortium, known as Team 21, submitted its proposal for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System March 31, 2014.
Under the proposal, Australian Defence Force pilots will graduate from a proven training system tailored to Australian requirements.
The companies in this team are currently in the eighth year of a 20-year performance-based flight training contract to provide the Basic Wings Course (BWC) to the Republic of Singapore Air Force, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce in Western Australia.
“Team 21 offers superior performance, a proven team in Australia and capability for the future,” Raydon Gates, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive said.
“We have an established track record and have now graduated 20 classes from a Pilatus PC-21 based pilot training program at RAAF Base Pearce. BWC has very similar mission and support systems as proposed for AIR 5428, significantly reducing risk to the Commonwealth.”
“Team 21’s proven experience provides an excellent foundation for a cost-effective, off-the-shelf solution tailored to prepare Australian Navy, Army and Air Force pilots for fourth and fifth generation aircraft capability,” Markus Bucher, Pilatus chief executive officer said.
The team has reported that selection of their solution will provide Australia with a fifth generation training system, delivering a safe, affordable and practical solution for today’s training needs while also supporting future requirements.
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Team 21 L to R - Raydon Gates, Doug Park, Dave Scott and Rob Oliver.