The H145 helicopters will enable students to practice winching tasks and rear crew activities. Credit: Department for Transport (DfT).

The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) has signed a £183m contract with Ascent Flight Training Management to enhance training services for Rotary Wing pilots.

The contract amendment signed by the MoD’s UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) includes uplift of four new Airbus H145 helicopters, a new flight simulator, and improve training infrastructure.

Related Company Profiles

View all

With the four new H145 helicopters and simulator, which will be based at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, students will be able to learn how to fly a range of missions, covering expected scenarios on operational deployment.

Students can also practice winching tasks and rear crew activities using the helicopters.

The improvements in infrastructure will cater to the increased student numbers.

Defence Minister James Heappey said: “This £183m boost for our helicopter training will see our student pilots benefit from an ultra-modern simulator, new infrastructure at RAF Shawbury and four brand-new Airbus H145 helicopters.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“These crucial upgrades will help our students become the finest helicopter pilots in the world.”

The Rotary Wing contract amendment is part of a programme to increase training capacity for military pilots in the UK as part of the £3.2bn UKMFTS programme, which is delivering training systems for aircrews to keep them prepared for the operational front line.

Furthermore, it helps to meet the increased demand for pilot training identified in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.

UKMFTS Defence Equipment & Support head commodore Tom Manson said: “The new twin-engine Airbus H145s will enhance the current mix of H135 and H145s that are used on UKMFTS, providing increased flexibility to deliver the range of training required for both pilots and aircrewmen in advance of flying front line helicopters.”

In May 2016, Ascent Flight Training secured a £1.1bn contract from the UK MoD to design, deliver and manage rotary-wing training.