This successful transaction marks the end of a great chapter
in New Zealand
aviation history and the beginning of a great foundation for Draken
International Draken, recognizing the increasing demand from the defense
contracting industry, intends to operate the aircraft in support of Department
of Defense training initiatives.
The aircraft bring unique capabilities to the Contract Air
Services (CAS) industry, with features such as an APG-66 radar,
Heads-up-Display, HOTAS, Multi-Function Display and the NATO standard 1553 bus.
Draken will also operate up to 6 buddy-store systems, enabling the Draken fleet
to provide in-house aerial refueling or to provide tanker support to other
probe equipped aircraft.
Given these capabilities, the aircraft will be able to
provide a more realistic training and threat simulation environment for a
variety of roles including Air-to-Air, “Red Air”, Air to Ground, JTAC/CAS,
aerial refueling, research and other mission sets that demand the latest in
aircraft technology.
Draken International CEO Jared Isaacman states, “These aircraft
represent the final and most capable evolution of the A-4 Skyhawk platform. We
are all very confident in the long-term supportability, advanced avionics
capabilities and economic efficiencies these aircraft will bring to the
Department of Defense and the overall defense contracting industry.”
In addition to the Douglas A-4K Skyhawks, the transaction
includes over 20 spare engines, and an extensive inventory of spare parts,
publications, life support equipment and avionics sufficient to power the fleet
for decades to come. Also included are two flight simulators for cockpit
procedural training and nav/attack system familiarization.
Draken expects to have the aircraft operational by the close
of 2012.
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