L-3 joins in bid for aircraft contract

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ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Air Force plans to replace aging T-38 trainers has led BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman to add a new team member in their bid for the contract.

L-3 Link Simulation & Training, a division of L-3 Communications, will now lead the design and integration of a ground-based training system for BAE's offering, the single engine Hawk jet trainer.

"L-3 Link's extensive experience in working with the U.S. Air Force, coupled with the company's training and simulation expertise, makes it the perfect choice to lead the work on our Ground Based Training System," Robert Wood, vice president and lead for BAE Systems' Hawk Advanced Jet Training System Team said. "L-3 Link further underpins the strength of the Hawk AJTS team in this procurement."

L-3 Link produces military flight simulation systems for F-22, F/A-18 and F-16 aircraft, using technologies applicable to the Air Force's T-X program.

The Hawk Advanced Jet Training System will integrate live and synthetic air and ground-based training for pilots who will fly the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor.

"Our team is well-positioned to develop a next generation Ground Based Training System that strongly complements BAE Systems' overall Hawk AJTS solution," said Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. "We will apply the experience we have gained as the world leader in fighter simulation to develop a T-X Ground Based Training System that enables the U.S. Air Force to reduce costs and create training efficiencies by enhancing key training tasks across the spectrum, from the aircraft to advanced simulation and training systems."