Training the next generation of aircrew 

Ascent, a 50/50 joint venture between Babcock and Lockheed Martin, delivers the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).

UKMFTS takes UK armed forces aircrew through Phase 2 training – from initial training through to the input to Phase 3 operational conversion units, preparing the next generation of aircrew for front line duty.

Providing the world’s leading military flying training enterprise with a full range of integrated training solutions, UKMFTS delivers fast jet, rotary wing, fixed wing multi-engine and rear crew training across the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army Air Corps.

Training is delivered across six locations in the UK – RAF Valley, RAF Cranwell, RAF Shawbury, RAF Barkston Heath, AAC Middle Wallop and RNAS Culdrose. With training solutions ranging from digital classrooms and interactive courseware to instructor-led training, immersive simulation, virtual and augmented reality environments and live flying, Ascent ensures that pilots are more prepared for the front line than ever before.

At a glance:

• 25-year contract
• Delivered by Ascent, a 50:50 joint venture between Babcock and Lockheed Martin
• Since 2008, Ascent has graduated nearly 2,000 military aircrew trainees, whose optimised live: synthetic experience has seen the completion of more than 133,000 flying hours and 91,000 simulator hours
• UKMFTS provides fixed wing, rear crew, and rotary wing training to the UK’s Armed Forces

Efficient and cost-effective training

As part of a whole force approach, Ascent instructors work alongside military instructors to provide UKMFTS’s mix of ground school, synthetic, rear crew, tactical and flying training.

This whole force approach, working closely with the Royal Air Force No 22 (Training) Group and the UKMFTS Project Team from Defence, Equipment and Support , is critical to ensuring successful programme delivery.

With the redesign of existing training methods, use of a Training Management Information System and greater use of synthetic training environments, Ascent has been able to deliver training more efficiently, optimising time in training and reducing the overall cost of training aircrew.

Robust infrastructure and facilities management

Babcock has been contracted by Ascent to provide the infrastructure needed to support the flying training task, including the design, build and through life maintenance of the entire training infrastructure needed. We also provide facilities management support, as well as the ICT infrastructure and subsequent support needed, with over 1,400 ICT customers.

UKMFTS in numbers:

• Nearly 2,000 graduated trainees
• More than 137,000 flying hours to date
• More than 91,000 sim hours to date
• 7 different aircraft types
• 110 aircraft

Find out more