BAE Systems, Partners Bid To Develop Australian Integrated Pilot Training System

BAE Systems, Beechcraft and CAE have developed an integrated pilot training system (PTS) that fully meets the Australian Defence Force’s requirements by delivering highly cost-effective training for its AIR 5428 project. 

The team has offered a proven system that focuses on delivering advanced skill levels, reducing training times and improving productivity. It would be delivered using a flexible learning environment, the renowned T-6C military training aircraft and a state-of-the-art suite of synthetic flight training devices. 

BAE Systems Australia General Manager Aviation Solutions John Quaife said the team was ready to deliver the ADF’s future pilot training. 

“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 choosing,” Mr Quaife said. 

“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.” 

Operated by nine of the world’s leading air forces and three F-35 Joint Strike Fighter partner nations, the T-6C was recently selected by the air forces of Mexico and New Zealand for their training systems and has also been down-selected as the sole remaining choice for the United Kingdom’s modernised pilot training program. 

“The T-6C has amassed more than two million flying hours, which means ADF training will not be compromised by emergent airworthiness issues.” 

Mr Quaife said the BAE Systems, Beechcraft and CAE team brought together a combined track record in military flight training, project management and mission systems sustainment. 

“We are a strong, complementary team that understands the Australian environment and training requirements of the ADF.” 

Since 1992, BAE Systems’ training specialists have helped deliver flight screening and basic flight training for the ADF.