STANS, Switzerland,
July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd have
successfully completed the initial production test flight of the
first PC-21 aircraft destined for the Australian Defence Force
under the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System program.
Under a contract signed in December
2015, the initial seven-year program is valued at AU$1.2
billion. Performance-based options for up to 25 years will provide
the opportunity to extend the length and increase the value of the
total contract. Lockheed Martin leads the delivery of an integrated
solution tailored for all future pilots for the Royal Australian
Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army.
"This is a true testament to our teammate Pilatus and a proven
aircraft that will form the backbone of future pilot training for
the Australian Defence Force for the next 25 years. We offer our
congratulations on this first significant step," said Raydon Gates, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin
Australia and New Zealand.
This first PC-21, registered as A54-001, will be handed over to
the Royal Australian Air Force at East Sale in June 2017 after completion of testing and
verification work in both Switzerland and Australia.
"This initial flight of the first Australian PC-21, only seven
months after contract signature, is a remarkable achievement and
illustrates both the commitment of Pilatus and the hard work of all
those involved in the project," said Oscar
J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus.
Under the prime contract, Lockheed Martin will provide overall
project management for the pilot training system and deliver a
family of integrated ground-based training technologies. Pilatus
Aircraft will provide PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and
through-life engineering and airworthiness support. Hawker Pacific
will provide maintenance services and fleet support and leverage
its established supply chain in Australia.
The PC-21s for Australia will
form the backbone of future pilot training for the Australian
Defence Force for the next 25 years.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com.au/readiness
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in
Canberra, Lockheed Martin
Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin
Corporation. The company employs more than 1,000 people in
Australia and New Zealand working on a wide range of major
programs spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin