EAST SALE, Australia,
Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In
a recent ceremony that marked a significant milestone for the AIR
5428 Pilot Training System, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) celebrated
the Chief of Air Force first flight of the in-service PC-21
aircraft.
The occasion was celebrated at a media event hosted by
Australian Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Marise Payne, in
East Sale, Australia. Also in attendance was the Hon Darren
Chester MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, highlighting
the significance of the program to the Australian Government.
Vince Di Pietro, chief executive
for Lockheed Martin Australia attended the event along with AIR
5428 partners Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific.
"We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with the
CAF and recognise this marks the beginning of training for
Australia's fifth-generation air
capability," said Vince Di Pietro.
"This milestone is a great achievement to all involved and we
celebrate the Australian Defence Force's first flight in service
and acceptance of the first six of 49 PC-21 aircraft, as the
mainstay trainer for Australia's
pilot training program for decades to come."
"Combining the PC-21 turboprop training aircraft with
state-of-the-art training simulations and an electronic learning
environment, Australia's new Pilot
Training System will prepare Australia's next-generation pilots for mission
success."
The AIR 5428 Pilot Training System is an integrated solution
tailored for all future pilots of the Royal Australian Air Force,
Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
"Lockheed Martin Australia leads the delivery of integrated
solutions for all future pilots of the Australian Defence Force,"
said Amy Gowder, vice president of
Training and Logistics Solutions for Lockheed Martin's Rotary and
Mission Systems business. "This milestone is an important
achievement, and confirms the Lockheed Martin-led team is on track
to deliver a world-class pilot training solution to the Australian
Defence Force."
Under the AIR 5428 contract, Lockheed Martin is providing
overall project management for the pilot training system and
delivering a family of integrated ground-based training
technologies. Pilatus Aircraft is providing 49 PC-21 turboprop
training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness
support, while Hawker Pacific is providing maintenance services and
fleet support, and leveraging its established supply chain in
Australia.
Signed in December 2015, the
initial seven-year AIR 5428 Pilot Training System is valued at
AU$1.2 billion, with performance-based options to extend the value
and length of the contract for up to 25 years.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com/AIR5428
About Lockheed Martin Australia: Headquartered in
Canberra, Lockheed Martin
Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin
Corporation. Lockheed Martin Australia and its related entities
employ more than 1000 people in Australia and New
Zealand working on a wide range of major programs spanning
the aerospace, defence, maritime civil sector.
About Pilatus: Established in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd
is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop
aircraft. Headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, Pilatus is a privately held
company employing close to 2000 people. Pilatus provides aircraft
and aviation services worldwide for the general aviation,
commercial, training, utility, and special mission markets. The
company, through Pilatus Australia Pty Ltd, currently supports over
140 Australian based military and civil aircraft.
Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd was formed in 1978 with its
corporate headquarters in Sydney NSW, employs over 400 people
across Australia and has
significant aviation sales and support capabilities across the
Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hawker Pacific's Government
Business unit is the prime contractor to the ADF delivering the
B300 aircraft capability to 32 and 38 Squadrons at RAAF Bases East
Sale and Townsville, holding AMO and AEO accreditation. At RAAF
Base Pearce, Hawker Pacific has successfully provided maintenance
support to the Singapore Air Force PC‑21 aircraft training
capability in synergy with Lockheed Martin and Pilatus since
2007.
For additional information, visit our
websites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com.au -- www.pilatus-aircraft.com –
www.hawkerpacific.com.au
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin