Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Daedalus Aviation Group, Draken International, GFD, and ILIAS Solutions will work as one team to provide F-16 training at the newly formed center.
The newly formed center is the result of a unique collaboration between the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the Romanian Air Force, and the Royal Netherlands Air Force in partnership with Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Daedalus Aviation Group, Draken International, GFD, a subsidiary of Airbus Defense and Space, and ILIAS Solutions will work as one team to provide F-16 training at the newly formed center.
According to the terms of the agreement, the team will be in charge of planning, coordinating, flying, and maintaining the F-16 fighter planes that the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has loaned for F-16 training. More precisely, F-16 instructor pilots with recent front-line experience flying F-16s in the U.S. Air Force and air forces across Europe will be made available by GFD and Draken.
OJ Sanchez, vice president, and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group, Lockheed Martin, said, “The F-16 continues to play a crucial role in 21st century security missions for the United States, Europe, NATO, and allies around the world. Lockheed Martin is proud to partner with the Netherlands and Romania on this European F-16 Training Center, which will enhance mission readiness through a comprehensive F-16 training solution for Romanian pilots. The center will focus on ensuring the effectiveness and safety of Romanians flying and operating F-16 fighter jets and could eventually expand to include training for other nations.Together, with our partners from Daedalus, Draken, GFD and ILIAS, we’re providing world-class training to enhance mission readiness and ensure safety of Romanians flying and operating F-16 fighter jets.”
Daedalus will contribute knowledge of the European Military Airworthiness Requirements regulatory framework, which includes Part 145, which addresses aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, and CAMO, or Continuous Airworthiness Management Organization, which addresses the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft, to enhance the training even more. In addition, Daedalus will handle F-16 logistics, maintenance, and repairs with the assistance of skilled Draken aircraft specialists.
ILIAS Solutions will provide comprehensive defense software solutions for flight scheduling, training management, logistics, and sustainment to complete the training team.
Also Read – Embraer’s E195-E2 jets secure Steep Approach approval at London City Airport
The RNLAF will keep its ownership of the aircraft and its sovereign rights in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Netherlands and Lockheed Martin.
