Airbus Helicopters has obtained factory acceptance for the first of 15 H135 rotorcraft bound for Australia’s Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS).

The aircraft will be shipped to Australia in January 2016, following the training of Boeing and Australian aircrews and technicians in Donauwörth, Germany, says Airbus Helicopters.

H135 HATS - Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters

Boeing Defence Australia is the prime contractor for the HATS programme, which will provide joint pilot training for Australia’s army and navy helicopter pilots. In addition to the helicopters, the training system also includes flight simulators and a sea-going training vessel with a flight deck.

Boeing emerged as the winner of Canberra’s Air 9000 Phase 7 HATS programme in November 2014.

Source: FlightGlobal.com