Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

The contractor running the outsourced UK Military Flight Training System (MFTS) has confirmed that it has chosen Affinity Group's bid to provide fixed-wing training. The decision by Ascent Flight Training means that three new types will be adopted for elementary, basic and multi-engine training of future British military pilots. The types are the Grob G120TP, Beechcraft T-6C and Embraer Phenom 100, respectively.

 


Ascent is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Babcock International that is providing the management and course design for MFTS under a 25-year contract. Affinity is a teaming of Elbit Systems and KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root). Two other bids to provide fixed-wing training were <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/farnborough-air-show/2014-07-13/other-mfts-programs">found to be non-compliant</a> when first considered. Affinity’s solution must be approved by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) before a contract can be awarded. The new aircraft will replace Grob G115s, Embraer Tucanos and Beechcraft King Air 200s. The basic training is likely to be consolidated alongside <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/farnborough-air-show/2014-07-13/fast-jet-training-ascends-uk">fast-jet training,</a> at RAF Anglesey in North Wales.

 


Meanwhile, Ascent has received three bids for the provision of future military rotary-wing training (RWT) in the UK. They are from Airbus Helicopters, Cobham and Elbit Systems. Ascent said that it will not award the contract for RWT until early 2016, a schedule that would see training of ab initio students start in 2018. The current contract to train military helicopter pilots in the UK is held by FB Heliservices, a joint venture between Bristow Helicopters and Cobham. It has already been extended twice. The joint venture provides Airbus Helicopters AS350B Squirrels and Bell 412EP Griffins.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New Types Selected for UK Flying Training

The Grob G120TP, Beechcraft T-6C and Embraer Phenom 100 will train future British military pilots.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Leaders to provide perspectives on topics ranging from AI to sustainability

NBAA-BACE Flight Deck Series To Dive into Top Issues

Sarah Rose

Lineup includes 750S Coupe and Artura Spider

NBAA-BACE To Feature Supercar Lineup from McLaren

Hanneke Weitering

Eviation's CEO offers insights into the slow-moving stealth program's progress

Eviation Quietly Prepares to Build Updated Alice Prototype

Global operations were off in the most recent week, expanding on the year-long trend

WingX: Combined Headwinds Drag Down Bizjet Operations

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The demonstrator completed its fifth test flight with plans to fly supersonic this year

Boom XB-1 Progressing Toward Supersonic Flight

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

More In Aircraft

NBAA-BACE Flight Deck Series To Dive into Top Issues

Leaders to provide perspectives on topics ranging from AI to sustainability

NBAA-BACE To Feature Supercar Lineup from McLaren

Lineup includes 750S Coupe and Artura Spider

Eviation Quietly Prepares to Build Updated Alice Prototype

Eviation's CEO offers insights into the slow-moving stealth program's progress

WingX: Combined Headwinds Drag Down Bizjet Operations

Global operations were off in the most recent week, expanding on the year-long trend

Boom XB-1 Progressing Toward Supersonic Flight

The demonstrator completed its fifth test flight with plans to fly supersonic this year

Textron Will Flight Test Nexus eVTOL Aircraft at Salina

Remotely piloted flights will start in 2025 as manufacturer works towards service entry in the 2030s

Sea Cheetah To Reveal Hydrogen-powered Wing-in-ground-effect Vessel

After two years in stealth mode, the Miami start-up says it can start deliveries in two years

IADA To Make its Mark at 2024 NBAA-BACE

IADA plans to present Q3 insights on October 21

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN