Serco awarded extension to helicopter pilot training contract at RAF Benson
The state-of-the-art simulated training facility is used to train Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter aircrew, as well as pilots from other NATO nations and allies.
Serco has worked in partnership with CAE at MSHATF at RAF Benson since the facility opened in October 1997, and the extension will see the contract continue until at least October 2025. The extension has a total estimated contract value of £26m over the eight year term, with potential options to further extend the contract to 2037.
The contract involves Serco’s expert team of ex-military helicopter instructors delivering training using the MSHATF’s six CAE simulators configured for the Chinook (Mk 4 and Mk6a), Merlin (Mk 3) and Puma (Mk 2) helicopters, as well as the facility’s Tactical Control Centre (TCC). The TCC can be used with the simulators connected together to recreate complex operational sorties in real world environments involving multiple helicopters.
Alongside the simulated training, Serco’s instructors also provide full ground school training for each helicopter at all levels, covering everything from basic aircraft systems such as fuel and electrics to advanced avionics and self-protection systems.
In total the facility has delivered over 10,000 hours of aircrew training per year ranging from conversion to type to continuation, operational and pre-deployment training for experienced crews.
As part of the contract, Serco also manages the maintenance of the MSHATF building through its team of building engineers, as well as providing the facility’s cleaning, reception and security services.
Paul McCarter, Managing Director of Serco’s Defence business, said: “We are very proud to have been chosen to remain CAE’s trusted partner at RAF Benson in managing and operating this world-class facility. Training the RAF and Royal Navy’s brave helicopter pilots is a huge responsibility and honour, and we are determined to continue delivering the highest standard of service.”
