BAE maintains U.S. Navy trainer aircraft

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FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- More than 300 U.S. Navy trainer aircraft will be maintained and serviced for the next five years by BAE Systems.

Work on the T-34, T-44 and T-6 trainers operated by the Chief of Navy Air Training includes scheduled inspections, required repairs, modifications and logistical support.

The services will be performed at the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas, at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Fla., and at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla.

The contract was given by Naval Air Systems Command and is worth about $400 million if all options are exercised, BAE Systems said.

"This is a major win for our team, significantly expanding our support to the U.S. Navy for trainer aircraft," said Gordon Eldridge, vice president and general manager of Aerospace Solutions at BAE Systems. "We're excited to have this opportunity to serve NAVAIR and the Chief of Naval Air Training and we look forward to serving the warfighters who fly and train in these aircraft."

BAE Systems said the award "significantly" strengthens the company's position in the aviation services market.

Company subcontractors for the award include Elbit Systems of America's subsidiary M7 Aerospace LLC, PKL Services Inc., Hawker Beechcraft, StandardAero and Sensenich Propeller Service.