At Farnborough

The Farnborough Air Show in England is off and running with a number of contracts and teaming agreements announced today.

First up, Hawker Beechcraft has selected CAE USA as the ground-based training systems provider for the AT-6 attack plane. Under the agreement, CAE will support Beechcraft’s “global pursuit campaigns of the AT-6 aircraft.” Those pursuits include the Air Force’s Light Attack Armed Reconnaissance program and Afghan Light Air Support contract.

“CAE USA will lead the design and development of a comprehensive ground-based training system, including aircrew and maintenance technician training solutions for the AT-6 platform,” a Hawker Beechcraft release states. “CAE’s responsibilities will include training system design and analysis, design and manufacture of synthetic training equipment, courseware development, classroom and simulator instruction, and training support services.”

CAE will also develop “embedded aircraft simulation solutions for the AT-6 and other T-6 aircraft variants,” according to the statement.

In addition, Hawker Beechcraft announced it has transitioned its maintenance of the Iraqi air force’s Peace Dragon King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft maintenance into a fulltime contract logistics support role.

A total of 13 Hawker employees will provide maintenance and logistical support for the aircraft.

In other show news, Raytheon announced it has formed a team with Rockwell Collins and Honeywell to compete for the second increment of the Joint Precision Approach Landing System (JPALS) program. The system is replacing current instrument landing and precision approach radar landing systems.

"The Raytheon-Rockwell-Honeywell team has the expertise needed to implement JPALS Increment 2," Andy Zogg, Raytheon Network Centric Systems vice president of Command and Control Systems, said in a July 18 statement.