Bidders are lining up for the US Navy's Undergraduate Military Flying Officer Training Systems (UMFOTS) competition to replace Rockwell T-39 Sabreliners. Raytheon Aircraft is to offer the Hawker 800XP mid-size business jet for the initial 16-aircraft requirement, while Bombardier says it will offer the Learjet 60.
The UMFOTS requirement is for aircraft, a ground-based training system (GBTS) and contractor logistic support (CLS). Raytheon Aircraft has teamed with FlightSafety Service for the GBTS and Raytheon Aerospace for CLS. This team won the US Air Force/Navy Joint Primary Aircraft Training System contest.
The aircraft will be used for training in communication and navigation, air interception and use of ground-mapping radar. The winning team is to be picked in the first quarter of next year, with aircraft deliveries beginning in January 2006. Cessna is also expected to compete.
Raytheon Aircraft has begun delivery of seven Beech King Air 350s to the Royal Australian Air Force for navigator and pilot transition training. The aircraft are leased from Hawker Pacific.Source: Flight International
