Avalon – 2 March 2011: The Raytheon Australia team of Raytheon, BAE Systems Australia and Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today launched their campaign for the Air 5428 Pilot Training System Program. The launch was held at a ceremony at Raytheon’s static line display at the Australian International Air Show.

Air 5428 Phase 1 aims to utilise advanced training systems to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force’s pilot training.

Together, the team will offer a world-class flight training solution for Australia which includes aircraft, simulators, training devices, instructors, facilities and courseware. The team is focused upon delivering a complete pilot training system that is suitably tailored to the military’s needs and which represents a strong value for money proposition.

Training pilots of sufficient quantity and quality to eventually go on to fly the world’s most advanced combat aircraft is a key consideration and central to the team’s approach is to demonstrate an ability to be a trusted partner in a project that is likely to exceed some 35 years.

To this end, Raytheon Australia is proud to display its training credentials established through its association with the Hornet Aircrew Training System, Super Hornet Training Support Services Contract, Electronic Warfare Training Services aircraft and the Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative.

Similarly, BAE is well known for both its under graduate and post graduate flying training presence and has provided flight screening and basic flying training services to the ADF for more than 15 years, in addition to the more advanced capabilities of the Lead-in Fighter.

Both companies have a strong pedigree in complex program management and a record of aerospace mission support excellence across a breadth of platforms. Together, the concentration on an end-to-end perspective of the flying training continuum places the Raytheon team in an ideal position to manage the risks associated with a project of this scale and complexity.

Strengthening further the team’s credentials is the T-6C aircraft and training system. This package leverages HBC’s extensive experience operating the US Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) — the training capability for the world’s two largest Air Forces: the USAF and USN.

In launching the campaign, the Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, Mr Michael Ward, emphasised the team’s focus on the quality of the combat capability to be delivered to the front line. He said “Our solution for Air 5428 is world-class, mature, deliverable and sustainable. We stand with trusted partners of our own to offer a value for money, low risk transition from the current fleet to a modern and complete pilot training system for the future.”

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Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2010 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 89 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.

Further information:
Gerry Wheeler
+61 439 501 327
gerard.wheeler@raytheon.com.au