MFTS is a planned Private Finance Initiative (PFI)programme that would replace aircrew instruction for the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps, taking personnel that have completed ab initio training and putting them through basic and advanced training.
The competition is due to begin next year with a possible selection in 2003 and service start in 2004-5. As well as providing fast jet-based training, the winning consortium would provide simulators, training systems, and flying services on basic- and multi-engine trainers.
The BAE Systems Hawk faces competition from the EADS Mako and Korean Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 which are newer designs with fly-by-wire flight control systems and able to fly supersonic mission profiles and high-alpha manoeuvres.
Source: Flight International
