Bristol's AERALIS boosts partner numbers as it inks MoU with Babcock France

Published by

Giles Gwinnett

Bristol-based military light jet maker AERALIS has expanded its list of partners, announcing a collaboration with defence firm Babcock France to explore how the former's innovative modular aircraft system could be used.

AERALIS is developing a modular aircraft, which can deliver a range of configurations for different missions. Common fuselage and avionics are used, while engines, wings and mission systems can be switched.

The latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Babcock seeks to outline the value of a model, which makes different AERALIS aircraft configurations available to air forces "as a service".

This includes how it could support future flexible and affordable combat air support and training constructs ready for 5th and 6th generation Combat Air.

AERALIS’s founder and CEO Tristan Crawford said: "AERALIS is delighted to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with Babcock to explore a highly innovative aircraft service offering in the light fast jet aviation sector.

"Babcock is set to become an important partner as part of developing AERALIS’s exciting service offering across multiple opportunities in the defence aviation market."

Meanwhile, Babcock Chief Executive Aviation and France Chief Executive Officer, Pierre Basquin added: "Innovation is key for Babcock, due to the nature of the critical and challenging operations we are delivering to our customers.

"Working with Aeralis, an agile partner with a strong vision for “out of the box” solutions, will help us to find the best platform for the future military flight training opportunities we have in Aviation."

Babcock France is currently under contract with the French MOD to deliver both advanced and lead-in training assets, including aircraft and simulation.

The latest MoU increases the number of AERALIS partners further.

It comes after an agreement was signed with France-based RED Air provider STDS in April this year complementing AERALIS’s existing agreements with both AirTanker and Ascent flight training, further strengthening AERALIS’ market position in Europe.

Last month, AERALIS revealed that air cadets from across the UK have been given the chance to name the first flight test vehicle developed by the firm.

The competition was launched at the Air Cadet National Air and Space Camp (NASC), hosted at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire. The winner will be announced later this year.

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Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.