A team of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific has been awarded a seven-year contract worth an estimated $862.2 million to provide an integrated system for the Australian military to train its future airmen.
Lockheed said Tuesday it will build ground-based technologies for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System and help the Australian defense department manage the project.
“Our approach will be tailored to the particular needs of Australia’s future defense requirements and will leverage proven turnkey training capabilities from Lockheed Martin, as well as those of our partners, ” said Raydon Gates, CEO of Lockheed’s business operations in Australia and New Zealand.
Pilatus Aircraft will deliver a turboprop trainer and provide engineering and airworthiness services while Hawker Pacific will perform maintenance and fleet support as Lockheed’s Team 21 members.
The contract includes performance-based options that could extend the project up to 25 years.
Team 21 has helped train Singapore military pilots at an air base in Western Australia under a separate 20-year flight training contract with Singapore’s air force.
