The need:

The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) was created in response to a critical National Audit Office (NAO) report on fast jet pilot training in 2000.

The NAO recognised that aircrew training was a complex and costly process. But, its 2000 report concluded that: aircrew spent too long in training to reach combat ready status; most training aircraft were approaching their out of services dates; and there was no Tri-Service approach.

UKMFTS was designed to address these failings, seeking to work more collaboratively with industry, moving away from traditional availability-based contracting towards output-based contracting, via greater risk transfer to industry.

The solution:

Ascent Flight Training, a joint partnership between Babcock and Lockheed Martin, was set up to solve this problem and since 2008 has been delivering Fast Jet, Rear Crew, Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing training solutions for military aircrew through UKMFTS. This public-private partnership has recapitalised and modernised aircrew training for all three UK military services.

Through our unique combination of synthetic flight training devices, full flight simulators, classroom teaching and live flying, Ascent designs, develops and delivers a modern and efficient training system across six UK sites, that creates the next generation of military aircrew for frontline missions.

We optimise the total time in training; eradicate the flying training capability gap; enable our UK MOD customer to focus resources on high priority frontline tasks; provide access to unique skills and resources; transfer risk to industry; provide a catalyst for reform; lower training costs and improve efficiency.