QinetiQ signs for four H125 for Empire Test Pilots’ School

QinetiQ has signed a deal for four Airbus H125 helicopters as part of its modernisation of the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS), which it manages alongside the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD). Worth approximately £15m, the deal will see Airbus Helicopters’ UK design team upgrade the Garmin G500-equipped aircraft with, among other capabilities, a 3-axis autopilot, dedicated communications equipment and Traffic Awareness Systems. This is in addition to a Flight Test Instrumentation suite, which is used to test and evaluate aircraft design and performance – a critical part of a test pilot or flight test engineer’s training. The contract includes aircraft modification and 10 years’ full HCare support package – industry’s most comprehensive service coverage – helping to deliver full availability. The aircraft are expected to enter service in early 2019.