The UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) Project Team, part of the Combat Air Operating Centre, is part of the Combat Air pillar within the DE&S organisation.

UKMFTS is a Major Defence Change Programme to deliver a world-class flying training system for all UK Military Aircrew.

UKMFTS will deliver a coherent, flexible and integrated flying training capability catering for the needs of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army Air Corps.

The flying training system takes aircrew from initial training through elementary, basic and advanced flying training phases to their arrival at their designated operational aircraft.

The focus for UKMFTS is to achieve a holistic system based on capability and service delivery; it is not solely about the provision of aircraft platforms. It also offers an opportunity to modernise the flying training processes for all three Services, realise efficiencies and, since training is currently spread across several organisations, take advantage of potential economies of scale.

The MOD appointed Ascent Flying Training Ltd, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Babcock International, in May 2008 as its Training System Partner to work with the MOD over the life of the project to deliver incrementally the total aircrew training requirement.

To date the MOD and Ascent have contracted for the Fast Jet, Rear Crew Stage 1, Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing Training Packages.

Further opportunities for industry to engage in future work may develop following increased requirements resulting from the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. Ascent is the main focal point for such industry contact (details below).

UKMFTS PT is also responsible for providing support to Hawk TMk1, Tucano and Glider aircraft, in addition to undertaking the role as Type Airworthiness Authority in support of Beech King Air 250/350ER and the Hawk TMk2 (Advanced Jet Trainer).

Reference

Doing Business with Defence Handbook. Edition 24 (2018).