In April Ascent successfully achieved Review Note approval for the Rotary Wing business case and proceeded to the assessment phase.  Ascent released the Request For Proposal to Industry and is currently engaged with 3 bidders and working towards a preferred solution next year.  Ascent received three responses from industry regarding the RFP issued for the role of Aircraft Service Provider (ASP) within the Rotary Wing element of the UK Military Flying Training System.  The bidders are:

• Airbus Helicopter
• Cobham
• Elbit

Contract award is expected in early 2016 with commencement of delivery of training to ab-initio students in 2018. As Ascent is currently working on the assessment of these offers, no further details can be released at this stage.