AVALON, Australia, March 2, 2017 – In a presentation that marks a significant milestone for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training Program, today the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)--led delivery team welcomed the arrival of the first two of 49 PC-21 aircraft with the Royal Australian Air Force.

The PC-21 is a key element of the AIR 5428 program and, along with state-of-the-art training simulations and an electronic learning environment, will form part of Australia’s new Pilot Training System; a system designed to train next-generation pilots faster and to a higher standard.

The occasion was celebrated at a media event hosted by Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies today, in front of two aircraft at the Avalon International Airshow.  Also in attendance was the Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon. Dan Tehan MP and the Hon. Darren Chester MP, Member for Gippsland, highlighting the significance of the program to the Australian Government.

Amy Gowder, vice president and general manager of Training and Logistics Solutions for Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business attended the event and presented the Chief of Air Force with a painting of the aircraft.

“Today’s event marks 14 months since we signed the AIR 5428 contract with the Australian Defence Force, said Gowder.  Much progress has been made, not just in the delivery of the aircraft here today, but also we are well prepared to deliver the first flight training device later this year.”

“We recognise that for the next few decades and beyond every pilot that graduates from this program will be key to delivering the fifth-generation aviation capability of the Navy, Army and Air Force.”

Lockheed Martin and our industry partners Pilatus Aircraft and Hawker Pacific are responsible for delivering the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System. The system will provide improved training capability. This team has been delivering exceptional results in Australia for the Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia since 2008.

Delivery of the first AIR 5428 Flight Training Device system is expected in August 2017.

To learn more about the AIR 5428 program, visit the Lockheed Martin stand at the Avalon Air show or go to the website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.au/training

About Lockheed Martin Australia:  Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin Australia and its related entities employ more than 800 people in Australia and New Zealand working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence, maritime civil sector.

About Pilatus: Established in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft. Headquartered in Stans, Switzerland, Pilatus is a privately held company employing close to 2000 people. Pilatus provides aircraft and aviation services worldwide for the general aviation, commercial, training, utility, and special mission markets. The company, through Pilatus Australia Pty Ltd, currently supports over 140 Australian based military and civil aircraft.

Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd was formed in 1978 with its corporate headquarters in Sydney NSW, employs over 400 people across Australia and has significant aviation sales and support capabilities across the Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hawker Pacific’s Government Business unit is the prime contractor to the ADF delivering the B300 aircraft capability to 32 and 38 Squadrons at RAAF Bases East Sale and Townsville, holding AMO and AEO accreditation. At RAAF Base Pearce, Hawker Pacific has successfully provided maintenance support to the Singapore Air Force PC‑21 aircraft training capability in synergy with Lockheed Martin and Pilatus since 2007.