Australia's Chief of Air Force completes first flight in AIR 5428 PC-21

Lockheed Martin has celebrated the latest milestone for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System at a ceremony to mark the Chief of Air Force (CAF) completing the first flight of AIR 5428's in-service Pilatus PC-21.

The AIR 5428 Pilot Training System is an integrated solution tailored for all future pilots of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army, for which Lockheed Martin is providing overall project management and delivering a family of integrated ground-based training technologies.

Pilatus Aircraft is providing 49 PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness support for AIR 5428, while Hawker Pacific is providing maintenance services and fleet support, and leveraging its established supply chain in Australia.

"We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with the Chief of Air Force and recognise this marks the beginning of training for Australia's fifth-generation air capability," said Vince Di Pietro, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia. "This milestone is a great achievement to all involved and we celebrate the Australian Defence Force's first flight in service and acceptance of the first six of 49 PC-21 aircraft, as the mainstay trainer for Australia's pilot training program for decades to come."

"Combining the PC-21 turboprop training aircraft with state-of-the-art training simulations and an electronic learning environment, Australia's new Pilot Training System will prepare Australia's next-generation pilots for mission success," Di Pietro continued.

"Lockheed Martin Australia leads the delivery of integrated solutions for all future pilots of the Australian Defence Force," commented Amy Gowder, VP of Training and Logistics Solutions for Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems business. "This milestone is an important achievement, and confirms the Lockheed Martin-led team is on track to deliver a world-class pilot training solution to the Australian Defence Force."

Signed in December 2015, the initial seven-year AIR 5428 Pilot Training System is valued at AU$1.2 billion, with performance-based options to extend the value and length of the contract for up to 25 years.