MoD adds ISTAR stream to UKMFTS training contract

Rear crew members trained via the Future ISTAR and Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS) contract will be deployed aboard a number of RAF and RN ISTAR aircraft, including the Rivet Joint (pictured). (Crown Copyright)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has added a new intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) stream to its UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract.

Announced by the ministry on 19 May, the GBP300 million (USD402 million) Future ISTAR and Rear Crew Training System (FIRCTS) contract has been awarded to Ascent Flight Training for the instruction of Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) rear crew ISTAR system operators at RAF Cranwell and Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose. The eight-year contract includes the provision of new infrastructure and training technologies at both locations.

“Using new state-of-the-art realistic synthetic and mission-simulated environments, [and] new training facilities and equipment, the contract for the Future ISTAR and FIRCTS programme will be delivered by Ascent and key suppliers,” the MoD said.

As noted in the announcement, FIRCTS will recapitalise the RAF Cranwell and RNAS Culdrose sites with the build and management of two new state-of-the-art training facilities by Babcock International Group. The synthetic and mission-simulated environments provided by Lockheed Martin will enable a greater download of live flying, and Draken Europe will provide support for the fleet of upgraded Textron King Air 350E Avenger aircraft. Courseware development will take place at Ascent Flight Training in Bristol.

“The massive scaling of this [UKMFTS] service will result in a four-fold increase in critically important mission aircrew (MA) trainees to 140 per year, preparing them for the demands of modern worldwide operating environments and equipping them with the skills to operate a large variety of aircraft,” the MoD said.