By Peter La Franchi in Canberra
Air force tests upgrade to current PC-9 primary trainers, while army prepares rotary-wing outsourcing tender
Australia is exploring the potential release of an international request for proposals (RFP) around August for its Project Air 5428 pilot training system programme.
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| The RAAF is flight testing a cockpit upgrade for its PC-9s |
The request is intended to support investigation of options for commercial outsourcing of the training, as well as decisions on the final service life of the Royal Australian Air Force’s current Pilatus PC-9 primary trainers.
The project is due to be considered by the Australian government’s National Security Committee for initial funding approvals during Australia’s 2006-7 financial year.
The potential release of the RFP comes as the RAAF prepares to sign a 10-year extension to its service support contracts with Perth-based Airflite for its PC-9s. Contract negotiations with Airflite were completed earlier this year.
Pilatus says the RAAF’s PC-9s are in good condition and have a potential service life of at least another seven to 10 years before requiring fleetwide airframe work.
Meanwhile, the air force is evaluating an upgraded cockpit, with one modified aircraft now undergoing testing in Switzerland.
The aircraft is due to return to Australia later this year for RAAF certification ahead of a proposed fleetwide modification to begin in early 2007.
Australia’s Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) awarded Pilatus a A$24.4 million ($18.1 million) contract to undertake electronic flight information system and global positioning system installation in the prototype aircraft in June 2004, with funding to expire next January.
The DMO last year formed an Air 5428 industry working group to support its studies, with members including Aermacchi, BAE Systems Australia, Boeing Australia, CAE Australia, Pilatus, Raytheon Australia and Thales Training & Simulation Australia.
n The Australian army will release tenders for its rotary-wing flying training outsourcing requirement in mid-May. The project will be based on a 10-year support contract worth A$20-22 million annually.
Source: Flight International
