Babcock France has won an eight-year contract to provide aircraft that simulate enemy forces and support air-to-ground training for French military units.
Awarded by the French Armed Forces Commissariat Service, the deal will be carried out with partners SDTS and Top Aces France to help prepare French Air and Space Force, Navy, and Army personnel for combat operations.
The companies will conduct up to 400 training sorties and more than 1,000 flight hours annually, operating from military bases and civilian airports across France.
Simulating Enemy Aircraft
Babcock will operate and maintain upgraded L-39 aircraft from its Dijon-Bourgogne base.
SDTS, meanwhile, will operate and maintain A-4N Skyhawk and Alpha Jet aircraft provided by Top Aces France.
The aircraft will take part in exercises alongside French Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighters, simulating opposing forces in missions known as “Red Air” training.
Activities will include air combat maneuvers within visual range.
The L-39s will also support training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), who coordinate and direct combat aircraft conducting strikes against ground targets.
For this role, the aircraft will use Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver technology, which enables pilots and ground controllers to exchange live video.
The system will help JTACs practice identifying targets, sharing tactical information, tracking friendly forces, and coordinating air support.
Earlier Pilot Training Agreement
The new contract builds on another agreement Babcock secured earlier this year to train personnel for the French Air and Space Force and Navy.
That deal covers classroom instruction and practical flight training for student pilots, weapons systems officers, and future simulator instructors.
Training will take place at Salon-de-Provence Air Base in southern France using Cirrus SR22 aircraft, and at Cognac Air Base in western France with Grob 120s.