More Afghan pilots to receive Raytheon training

Raytheon press release.

Raytheon Company and its partner team have been awarded a $13.5M task order modification on the Warfighter Field Operations Customer Support (FOCUS) contract to add more Afghan pilots to the New Dawn training program. An additional 24 fixed-wing and four rotary-wing Afghan Air Force pilots will be trained.

Based in the United Arab Emirates, the New Dawn program trains Afghan Air Force Officers to a level equivalent to a commercial pilot certification. Upon graduation, the pilots return to Afghanistan for service as aviators in that nation's Air Force. So far, 102 Afghan Air Force pilots have received training in the English language, aviation theoretical knowledge, advanced mathematics and problem solving skills, in addition to commercial pilot training that includes advanced instrument flight qualification.

"This is a great example of our ability to build solid partnerships with our customers and leverage the vast, high-consequence training Raytheon is known for," said Bob Williams, Raytheon Global Training Solutions vice president. "Helping to shape the future leaders of the Afghan Air Force will also contribute to stability and security in Afghanistan."

Raytheon, which provides this training via the Warfighter FOCUS contract, leads a team of more than 150 partner companies called the Warrior Training Alliance. Raytheon and the WTA maintain more than 240,000 training aids, devices and simulators and help train U.S. Army soldiers, allied and coalition partners around the world. Click here to learn more about the Raytheon-led Warfighter FOCUS program.