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Affinity, a joint venture between Elbit and KBR, has been awarded a contract to operate additional training aircraft for the RAF.
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The contract between Affinity and the UK’s Ministry of Defence, valued at an estimated £65 million, will oversee the operation of four additional Texan T-6C aircraft under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) program, with the contract expected to last 12 years.
The owners of the joint venture, who each hold a 50 per cent share, will benefit from the contract with the MoD evenly.
The new Texan T-6C systems are expected to be based at Affinity’s RAF Valley site, alongside the 10 current Texan systems in use. The UKMFTS program oversees RAF pilot training, procurement, operations and maintenance services.
Across RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Valley, the joint venture has delivered over 20,000 flying hours as part of the training package.
“This contract attests to the level of satisfaction from the services and support provided by us in the UKMFTS program. We are proud to be an integral partner of the UK MOD in providing training solutions for the RAF and of the contribution to the pilots’ operational readiness and efficiency,” Martin Fausset, chief executive of Elbit Systems UK, said.
Earlier this week, Elbit Systems UK was selected to deliver the Interim Combined Arms Virtual Simulation (Deployable) ICAVS(D) solution to the British Army — a pathfinder project under the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP).
The new solution, which is expected to replace the Unit-Based Virtual Trainer (UBVT) by 1 April 2022, is tipped to exceed the UBVT in scale, size and complexity.
ICAVS(D) leverages high specification hardware, using Defence Virtual Simulation software to deliver immersive virtual training.
This is aimed at helping inform the requirements for the future replacement of the UK’s Command and Staff Training (CAST) and the Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) systems.
ICAVS(D) is also expected to support experimentation and collective readiness training, from vehicle crew to Combined Arms Sub-Unit.
The platform enables users to train in complex operational environments across a range of conditions, and can be deployed within barracks and on training areas.
[Related: Elbit Systems UK wins British Army contract]
