AVALON, Australia, March 2 (UPI) -- Three international firms have formed an industry team to pursue work under Australia's program for training military helicopter pilots.
The companies are CAE of Canada; AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company; and BAE Systems.
Australia's AIR 9000 Phase 7 program, also called the Helicopter Aircrew Training System, is intended to provide a rotary wing training capability for the Australian navy and army to meet the rotary wing training needs of the Australian military.
The comprehensive training system would include elements of live, synthetic and classroom helicopter instruction.
"With this team, we have brought together the world's foremost rotorcraft capability provider in AgustaWestland, a global leader in simulation-based training with CAE and one of the world's most capable through-life support partners in BAE Systems," said AgustaWestland Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Orsi. "We look forward to highlighting the breadth of our combined capabilities in support of Australia's AIR 9000 Phase 7 requirements."
AgustaWestland would offer a light twin helicopter type and associated aircraft support services. CAE would have primary responsibility for the design of the overall synthetic training program, including the manufacture of training devices as well as classroom and simulator instruction. BAE Systems would lead maintenance and support services.
