"Letter of Intent" signed for "innovative" RAF trainer jet as Aeralis remain bullish over Gosport jobs bid
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A new fast-jet trainer programme organised by major defence firms has been identified for the RAF - providing competition for prospective deal to bring jobs to the Gosport area.
Three defence and aerospace giants have signed a “letter of intent” to collaborate with the Air Force on the project to produce a trainer jet. Saab, Boeing and BAE Systems will work together to produce the capability.
A letter of intent is a preliminary document that outlines the potential terms of an agreement before signing a legally-binding contract. The T-7A Red Hawk, used by the US Air Force, has been earmarked as the replacement for the BAE Systems’ Hawk T1 and T2 platforms. Parts will be built overseas and assembled in the UK.
In competition, Aeralis is pushing ahead with its Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) project, which would involve technicians at StandardAero in Fleetlands and Hamble Aerostructures. If its bid is successful, the firm previously said the programme would bring over 900 jobs to the supply chain across the Gosport and Hamble area.
Requirements for the UK Advance Jet Trainer were set out in the Strategic Defence Review. BAE Systems is in charge of British-based final assembly for its programme. Simon Barnes, group managing director for the company’s air sector, said: “Our new collaboration with Boeing and Saab will enable us to present a compelling offer to the UK Royal Air Force and our global customers, leveraging the latest tech innovation in training systems and a world-class jet trainer aircraft. We’re committed to ensuring this solution offers the best overall outcome for the nation to support the UK’s combat air readiness and deliver economic benefit.”
Bernd Peters, vice president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Business Development & Strategy, said: “Together, Boeing with Saab and now BAE Systems will offer innovative training solutions to best prepare RAF pilots for the future, including advanced fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. This collaboration enhances the best of our technological capabilities, strengthens the transatlantic industrial base and offers opportunities for cooperative development.”
The T-7A Red Hawk has been described as a leading-edge and integrated-live training system. It has a versatile design which allows it to adapt to changing technologies and mission requirements. Pilots will use the system to learn to fly the most advanced fighters, fast jets and bombers in the world. It has also been designated for use in aerobatic displays, such as those performed by the Red Arrows.
Saab’s head of business area Aeronautics Lars Tossman said: “The strong partnership between Boeing and Saab developed the T-7 to be the world’s best solution for future pilot training. By working with BAE Systems, Saab believes the UK can gain a worthy successor to the Hawk that is the right choice for pilots for decades to come.”
Despite being put against competition from global companies, figures at Aeralis remain confident of the firm’s proposals. Its AJT focuses on the advanced and technical phases of pilot training, while being modular and adaptable. Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell said all the proposal needs is the green light from the Ministry of Defence, with supply partners and capital already being secured.
He added: “We are delighted to finally hear news of a tentative Letter of Intent between BAE Systems, SAAB and Boeing for the potential supply of American aircraft in kit form, since by comparison, it highlights the maturity, quality, detail and merits of Aeralis' comprehensive proposal for a British designed and built aircraft, which is ready to deliver. We have every confidence that our proposal, backed by five years of design and development at no upfront cost to the taxpayer, will succeed.
“It will deliver secure, skilled and long-term employment at our partners Standard Aero and Hamble Aerostructures amongst many others across the UK for years to come. Our proposals exploit the benefit of national investment by retaining funds and skills in the UK rather than spending them abroad, generating long-term skilled opportunities here at home to deliver a new homegrown aircraft manufacturer and an exportable, British-controlled strategic national asset with long-term industrial value, for the first time for fifty years.”