Lockheed Martin Australia has delivered the first of two new flight training devices to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Pearce to increase the pipeline of qualified Australian Defence Force pilots. The program milestone forms part of Defence’s AIR5428 Phase 1 Pilot Training System, a tailored training program enabling fifth-generation mission readiness for Australia’s armed forces.
The new flight training device replicates the PC-21 aircraft in form, fit and function. It features an advanced PC-21-specific cockpit combined with the fidelity and performance of a modern flight simulator, generating an authentic training experience for pilots.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Director of Global Training Systems, Peter Ashworth, said, “We are privileged to be the Australian Defence Force’s strategic partner in the Pilot Training System and are proud to deliver this capability on time and budget. As Defence’s strategic partner for AIR5428 Phase 1, we bring together all components of the Pilot Training System, from classroom to cockpit, in partnership with Defence and Australian industry. The program milestone will help ensure Defence meets their national preparedness priorities. Lockheed Martin Australia will engage local industry providers to sustain the flight training devices, which will contribute to economic growth and industry development.”
The implementation of the additional flight training devices at RAAF Base Pearce is projected to boost the number of pilots successfully completing their training annually by approximately 25 percent.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive Warren McDonald said, “In conjunction with Pilatus and Jet Aviation, our turnkey training approach delivers an affordable, integrated, and scalable path to safely and effectively train Australian military aviators for tomorrow’s complex missions. This outcome demonstrates our steadfast commitment to partnering with Defence and Australian industry to delivery on National Defence Strategy capability objectives to ensure successful growth of the Australian Defence Force.”
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