Elbit, KBR contracted for U.K. military flight training program

HAIFA, Israel, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The joint venture between Elbit Systems and Kellog, Brown and Root, has been contracted to support the U.K. Military Flight Training System.

The joint venture, known as Affinity Flying Services, is expecting approximately $713 million in revenue over an 18-year period. Elbit and KBR each hold a 50 percent share in Affinity.

The contract is part of the U.K. Ministry of Defense's wider UKMFTS contract with Ascent Flight Training Services, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Babcock International. Under that contract, worth over $1.57 billion, Ascent will provide training aircraft and ground-based training devices, such as simulators and classroom learning, for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Army Air Corps.

As a subcontractor, Affinity will be responsible for providing new training aircraft along with maintenance and support.

"We are very proud to take part in such an important project for the U.K. MOD," Elbit CEO and president Bezhalel Machlis said in a statement. "The award of the contract to deliver this key programme for the UK's armed forces is a significant recognition of our proven ability to adapt and deliver innovative global solutions to meet the specific needs of the UK market and customer."

The UKMFTS provides elementary, basic multi-engine and fast-jet pilot training for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft for the United Kingdom's airborne forces.