The new frontiers and new trends in air power are accelerating the development of new capabilities and technologies for training military pilots
Airbus and Leonardo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint promotion of integrated training systems and the development of responses to future Air Dominance challenges.
As part of this collaboration, the two companies will jointly address and pursue business opportunities in advanced training systems based on the consolidated program M-346, an aircraft that has logged more than 100 flight hours worldwide. Airbus and Leonardo will also consider strengthening industrial ties and cooperation in future domains of military pilot training. Starting from synergies on specific platforms and programmes, the agreement also aims at a wider collaboration at European and international level.
"A strong, innovative and competitive defense industry is the prerequisite for strengthening European defense and for pursuing the desired 'strategic autonomy'” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air System Airbus. “Leonardo is recognized worldwide as a leading player in the military pilot training sector and we are convinced that the synergies between the two companies can provide effective answers to the needs of our customers".
"With this agreement, Leonardo and Airbus are pooling their distinctive experiences and capabilities to provide European and international customers with the most advanced and effective integrated training solutions”, said Marco Zoff, Managing Director of Leonardo's Aircraft Division. “Thanks to a common technological development roadmap based on the M-346 and its integrated training system, the two companies will also develop advanced solutions intercepting the future needs of air power, so as to offer effective training to the pilots of combat aircraft of new generation and operational readiness in the most complex scenarios".
The Air Defense renewal process and emerging trends require the full use of the most advanced solutions, together with a more rapid development of new capabilities and technologies to ensure the effectiveness of pilot training, including training of flight crews and land, a key element in ensuring suitability by verifying operational readiness and capability levels.
In the European advanced trainer aircraft market, more than 400 new aircraft are expected to be delivered over the next 20 years, in addition to €12 billion of investment in pilot training services.