Training, Maintenance, And Support Services All Included
Boeing has signed an $39 million change proposal with the
Commonwealth of Australia to increase the scope of the Army
Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract.
Awarded the contract in 2007, Boeing subsidiary Boeing Defence
Australia has been supporting the Australian Army's Black Hawk and
Kiowa helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician training,
operational fleet maintenance, and support services at the Army
Aviation Training Center in Oakey.
Following detailed operational reviews, the Commonwealth and
Boeing Defence Australia changed the scope of the AATTS contract to
reflect the Army's current and future aircrew training
requirements. Under the updated contract, Boeing Defence Australia
is additionally responsible for delivering:
- The Initial Army Pilot Helicopter Qualification Course, using
the B-206 Kiowa.
- 85 percent of S-70A-9 Black Hawk pilot training.
- CH-47 Chinook helicopter instructor and technician
training.
The $39 million agreement also includes the Commonwealth's first
one-year extension of AATTS, continuing the contract until
September 2013. The original AATTS contract includes five one-year
extension options.
"The Commonwealth's decision to both increase the scope of AATTS
and extend the contract until 2013 reinforces Boeing Defence
Australia's position as the preeminent ab-initio ['from the
beginning'] training provider to the Australian Defence Force,"
said Mark Brownsey, Boeing Defence Australia senior manager for
Global Services & Support -- Training Operations.
Kiowa Helicopter File Photo
"To date, Boeing Defence Australia has exceeded all Australian
Army training and maintenance requirements, including standing up
the entire program on time, completing 100 percent of training
courses on schedule, supporting close to 7,000 training sorties
annually, and providing maintenance support to the Australian
Defence Force Kiowa fleet, which recently achieved more than 50,000
flight hours," said Matthew Sibree, Boeing Defence Australia AATTS
project manager. "To ensure AATTS continues on time and on budget,
20 additional employees will be hired on to the 160-strong team to
ensure we meet our customer's expectations."
The updated AATTS contract will further strengthen Boeing
Defence Australia's training capability while ensuring the
Australian Army maintains a constant supply of qualified helicopter
pilots, aircrew and technicians to conduct complex helicopter
missions in support of domestic and global operations.