M1 Support Services (M1) has secured a single-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to US$10 billion to provide Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) training under the US Army’s Flight School Next (FSN) programme.
The contract has a 26-year period of performance and forms part of the Army’s efforts to modernise rotary-wing pilot training while improving proficiency and reducing costs.
Under the programme, M1 will deliver a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) turnkey solution through its Flight School First platform. The system combines an AI-enabled adaptive learning environment with advanced simulation, immersive virtual training, proficiency-based instruction and Robinson R66 helicopters.
M1 has assembled a team spanning flight training, simulation, aircraft manufacturing, civil aviation and academia to deliver the programme. Partners include Robinson Helicopter Company, Quantum Helicopters, General Dynamics Information Technology and the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation.