Lockheed Martin Australia has confirmed it has delivered the Air 5428 Pilot Training System, combining simulators and aircraft, to support the professional development of Navy, Army, and Air Force pilots.
Lockheed Martin Australia, in collaboration with Team 21 industry partners Pilatus and Jet Aviation, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), developed a training system that encompasses PC-21 aircraft, light simulators, cockpit trainers, as well as mission planning and maintenance support.
To date, the Pilot Training System has graduated 35 Air Force, 11 Navy and 27 Army pilots.
“Lockheed Martin Australia proudly welcomes the Commonwealth’s acceptance of the Air 5428 Pilot Training System,” Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Warren McDonald said.
“This is a significant program milestone for Lockheed Martin Australia, our industry partners and the Commonwealth, as it signifies that this innovative system has been successfully delivered and offers enduring training capability to meet the ADF’s requirements.”
Further he said, “We look forward to advancing and sustaining the Air 5428 pilot training system with excellence and in conjunction with our Team 21 partners and the RAAF.”
To complete the Air 5428 acquisition phase, Lockheed Martin Australia Team and 21 undertook an intensive six-month assessment involving: performing over 3,500 flight simulator and 10,000 aircraft flying events; achieving a greater than 97 per cent mission success scorecard for all events against the contract’s program performance metrics; and achieving 100 per cent success for ground school contracted performance measures.
“Lockheed Martin Australia was immensely proud of the program outcome," Lockheed Martin Australia Vice President of Rotary and Mission Systems Operations, Steve Froelich, said.
“This outcome is a testament of Lockheed Martin Australia’s sustained focus, strong collaboration with our Team 21 partners, and a mission-first mindset to deliver an innovative and tailored system to meet the future needs of ADF pilots.”