Awarded the contract in 2007, BDA has been supporting the Army's Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician training, operational fleet maintenance, and support services at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey.
Following detailed operational reviews, the Commonwealth and BDA changed the scope of the AATTS contract to reflect the Army's current and future aircrew training requirements.
Under the updated contract, BDA is additionally responsible for delivering:
- The Initial Army Pilot Helicopter Qualification Course, using the B-206 Kiowa
- 85 per cent of S-70A-9 Black Hawk pilot training
- CH-47 Chinook helicopter instructor and technician training.
The $44-million agreement also includes the Commonwealth's first one-year extension of AATTS, continuing the contract until September 2013.
The original AATTS contract includes five one-year extension options.
"The Commonwealth's decision to both increase the scope of AATTS and extend the contract until 2013 reinforces BDA's position as the preeminent ab-initio training provider to the Australian Defence Force," Mark Brownsey, BDA senior manager for Global Services & Support - Training Operations, said.