BAE Systems, Beechcraft, CAE in joint bid for training contract

WILLIAMTOWN, Australia, April 11 (UPI) -- A team made up of BAE Systems, Beechcraft and CAE has bid on an Australian military pilot training program.

Their integrated system, based around Beechcraft’s T-6C training aircraft and synthetic flight training devices, for the AIR 5428 Project would reduce training times and provide advanced skills, BAE Systems announced.

“We’ve drawn on decades of global military flight training experience to develop a solution focused solely on producing the very best military aviators at a location of the ADF’s (Australian Defense Force) choosing,” said BAE Systems Australia General Manager of Aviation Solutions John Quaife.

“Supported by the world’s most proven, cost-effective primary aviation training aircraft in the T-6C, our integrated pilot training system balances the latest training technology with basic competencies. It provides the flexibility to address learning shortfalls and will better prepare graduates for lead-in fighter training than ever before.”

In competition for the contract is Team 21, which is composed of Lockheed Martin Australia, Pilatus and Hawker Pacific. Team 21’s offering is based on the Pilatus’ PC-21 aircraft.