Opportunity to bid for UKMFTS Future ISTAR and Rear Crew Training Service (FIRCTS) service provisions

8 July 2022

Ascent Flight Training (Management) Ltd is inviting bids, under two lots, to provide equipment based service provisions that will support the delivery of the FIRCTS Programme from 2024 to 2033. FIRCTS is an MOD Category A programme, which will deliver sensor operator training to Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel during their phase 2 training at RNAS Culdrose and RAFC Cranwell. Airborne training will utilise the current Avenger aircraft and will be based upon live sensors including Radar, AIS, EO/IR, and airborne emulation of EW and Data Link. Ground based synthetic training will be based upon the simulation of Radar, AIS, EO/IR, Acoustics, EW and Data Link with dedicated RPAS Ground Control Simulators.

Lot 1 – Ground Based Training Equipment (GBTE) – based at RAFC Cranwell and RNAS Culdrose

Lot 2 – Aircraft Service Provision (ASP) – based at RNAS Culdrose

An Industry Day is being held on Tuesday 26th July 2022 at Burges Salmon, Bristol which will consist of a presentation outlining programme requirements and the opportunity to meet the FIRCTS Project team, including representatives from 22 Group, DE&S and Ascent. Organisations of all sizes and areas of expertise are welcome given the wide variety of lot scope. Hopefully the event will also provide the perfect opportunity to meet other organisations for the purposes and partnering and teaming.

If you wish to attend the Industry Day, please register your interest online at Project: Early Engagement Notice 04 – Supply Chain Notice – Future ISTAR Rear Crew Training System – Industry Day and PQQ (Defence Sourcing Portal) (mod.uk) or by searching “Future ISTAR Rear Crew Training System – Industry Day and PQQ” on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP), no later than 14.00 22nd July 2022. A full agenda, detailing timings and directions will be issued.

If you are unable to make the Industry Day, you can still register your interest at the link above or on the DSP.

Ascent will release a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) on July 27th to all prospective bidders who have confirmed interest and completed a Non-Disclosure Agreement.