The UK Ministry of Defence has invested 300 million pounds ($402.4 million) to strengthen the flight skills of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in modern warfare.
The project, awarded to Bristol-based Ascent Flight Training, will see the construction of new buildings as well as the installation of synthetic and mission-simulated technologies to enable land-based practices on “a large variety of aircraft.”
London aims to complete courses for four times as many crews as before, or approximately 140 personnel per year, through the project.
The locations for this effort will include Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose and Royal Air Force Cranwell. Facilities development at the sites has been assigned to Ascent parent company Babcock and is valued at 70 million pounds ($93.8 million).
Simultaneously, Dorset-based defense contractor Draken will provide fleet support to the armed forces’ upgraded Textron King Air 350E Avenger aircrew training platform.
‘Significant Step Forward’
The British defense agency said that the recent initiative will optimize the military’s Future Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS) program.
FIRCTS is among the critical preparations given to future frontliners under the UK’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), a cross-service airborne training structure managed in partnership with Ascent’s other parent company, Lockheed Martin.
Lessons under FIRCTS involve the military’s latest aircraft, including the P-8 Poseidon, RC-135 Rivet Joint, E-7 Wedgetail, Merlin Mk2, AW159 Wildcat, and MQ-9B Protector.
“This new flight training contract is a significant step forward for the UK’s Defence capabilities, ensuring that armed forces personnel have access to world-class training resources,” UKMFTS Team Leader Capt. Polly Hatchard stated.
“The contract reinforces our commitment to providing the highest level of readiness and operational effectiveness whilst creating new jobs across the UK and investing in regional economies.”
