Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer

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Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer
Aeralis advanced jet trainer concept.jpg
A render of the advanced jet trainer variant
Role Advanced trainer aircraft
National origin United Kingdom/Qatar
Manufacturer Aeralis / Barzan Holdings
First flight 2024 (planned)
Status In development

The Aeralis Advanced Jet Trainer is an advanced jet trainer aircraft designed by Aeralis in a joint venture with Qatar's Barzan holdings. It is the initial variant of a family of modular aircraft which are reconfigurable to cover a variety of roles, including operational training, basic jet training, aerobatics/display and light combat. Aeralis plan to carry out a first flight of the advanced jet trainer variant in 2024.[1]

Design and development[]

The Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) is the initial variant of a family of light jet aircraft which share approximately 85% of their components, including avionics, digital systems and core fuselage. The rest of the aircraft, including engine pods, wings and tail, can be interchanged to meet different roles. According to Aeralis, this system of modularity and fleet rationalisation is intended to deliver lower costs and increased flexibility to its end-user. The roles deliverable by the Aeralis system include advanced jet trainer, basic jet trainer, operational trainer, aerobatics/display and light combat.[2]

The project was first revealed to the public in 2015 under the name DART.[3] In 2019, Aeralis partnered with engineering and design consultancy firm Atkins to work on two out of three planned variants of the aircraft: the advanced jet trainer and the basic jet trainer.[4]

In February 2021, Aerlais was awarded a three year contract with the Royal Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office to further develop the aircraft.[5][6] This was followed by a Teaming Agreement with Thales UK in March 2021 to further develop training and simulation systems.[7]

In September 2021, Aeralis showcased a number of potential future variants, including an uncrewed combat variant and an uncrewed refuelling variant.[1] It also announced that it had received a £10.5 million cash injection from an unnamed Middle Eastern nation, later revealed to be the Qatar-based Barzan Holdings,[8] which it said was a sign the aircraft was gaining international interest.[1] During the same month, Aeralis also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rolls-Royce to innovate propulsion solutions for the aircraft.[9] Atkins and Siemens also agreed to collaborate with Aeralis on Aerside, the aircraft's digital system.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Robinson, Tim (17 September 2021). "Defence back on show - DSEI 2021 report". Royal Aeronautical Society. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. ^ "One System, Many Missions". AERALIS. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Dart Jet Introduces Modular Trainer". AINonline. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Atkins and Aeralis to partner on low-cost modular training jet aircraft". Aerospace Testing International. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  5. ^ "RAF Backs UK Military Jet Designer To Develop Convertible Aircraft". BFBS. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  6. ^ Jennings, Gareth (17 February 2021). "RAF supporting Aeralis to continue development of modular jet aircraft". Janes Information Services. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Thales UK to give Aeralis training & simulation support". Advance. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  8. ^ Forrester, Charles (24 September 2021). "Qatari fund takes stake in UK's Aeralis". Janes Information Services. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  9. ^ "AERALIS announces industry collaboration with Rolls-Royce". Rolls-Royce. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Aeralis Teams With Atkins, Siemens On Jet Trainer Development". Aviation Week. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.

External links[]

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