Commencement of Operations at UAV Training Centre

RNS Number : 9248I

Strat Aero PLC

31 March 2015

 

Strat Aero plc / Index: AIM / TIDM: AERO / Sector: Support Services

31 March 2015

Strat Aero plc ("Strat Aero", the "Company" or the "Group")

Commencement of Operations at UAV Training Centre in Roswell, New Mexico

Strat Aero plc, an international aerospace services company focused on the provision of training solutions, management systems and consultancy services to the global aviation market, is pleased to announce that initial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ('UAV') training of US Air Force ('USAF') check pilots at the fully equipped UAV training centre in Roswell, New Mexico, commenced on 30 March 2015.   This forms part of a co-operation agreement signed between Strat Aero and a leading US defence contractor, which has been contracted by the US Government to train USAF UAV pilots.   This update is in line with Strat Aero's strategy to build a leading aviation services provider by capitalising on multiple growth opportunities identified, particularly in the rapidly emerging commercial UAS space.

·     Commencement of initial UAV training of a select group of USAF check pilots at the fully functional and multi-faceted UAS Pilot Training Centre in Roswell to evaluate the training system and curriculum

·     Full roll-out of USAF pilot training as part of agreement with leading US defence contractor will follow a review of the training process and results of this initial course to ensure both initial training for student pilots, as well as  recurrent training for operational pilots, is optimised

·     The Roswell Training Centre has the capacity to train up to 750 pilots per annum with each pilot generating expected revenues of US$12,750

·     Optimisation of pilot training programme at Roswell using Sandshark fixed wing UAVs has the potential to accelerate the establishment of northern Europe's first UAV training centre at the former Valkenburg Air Base in the Netherlands

o  discussions at an advanced stage with the Government of the Netherlands

o  Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) has been assisting Strat Aero in the development of a top level military training programme at the Valkenberg Air Base

·     Work is on-going to complete a curriculum for training UAV operators in the commercial and educational sectors including Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell

Capt. Russell Peck, CEO of Strat Aero, said:"The commencement of training of USAF pilots at Roswell represents a major milestone towards delivering on our objective to position Strat Aero as the go to provider of UAS pilot training and services.  Not only will the full roll out of the training programme at Roswell add another significant stream to our already fast-growing revenues, but it greatly enhances Strat Aero's credibility in being able to offer, develop and deliver UAS solutions for high level customers in both the private and public sectors.  As our on-going discussions with the Government of the Netherlands to establish northern Europe's first UAV training centre demonstrates, we are already seeing the benefits of being at the forefront of the emerging UAV revolution. 

"Together with the MOU we signed with 4D Tech Solutions, Inc, an established engineering services provider to the US Government, and the option we have secured to acquire a 70% interest in New Amsterdam, an independent industrial and energy sales and marketing group, there is considerable momentum behind our UAV training and solutions business.  With progress also being made at our other two divisions, Aviation Management and Consultancy Services and Aviation Software, Products and Services, I look forward to providing further updates as we build Strat Aero into a leading global aviation services company, and in the process generate considerable value for our shareholders."

Enquiries:

Strat Aero plc
Russell Peck (Chief Executive)	Tel: [phone]
Graham Peck (Chairman)	Tel: [phone]
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP	Tel: [phone]
Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Stuart Gledhill Katy Birkin
Beaufort Securities Limited	Tel: [phone]
Joint Broker Jon Levinson
Elliot Hance
St Brides Partners Ltd	Tel: [phone]
Susie Geliher Frank Buhagiar

Notes

Strat Aero plc is a multi-divisional international aerospace services company, focussed primarily on the provision of Unmanned Aerial System ('UAS') training solutions, airline management systems and consultancy services to the international aviation market.  The Company has three existing divisions: UAS Pilot Training and Services which operates from the fully functional and multi-faceted UAS Training Centre in Roswell, New Mexico; Aviation Software, Products and Services which includes the Company's proprietary advanced aerospace management system,  a cloud-based enterprise wide management solution for the aerospace sector and potentially, other sectors; and Aviation Management and Consultancy Services which has multiple contracts in place including project management of the establishment of a new low cost airline in the Middle East. 

The UAV division is looking to capitalise on opportunities resulting from the forecasted strong growth in the airline industry and in particular, the predicted exponential growth in the emerging UAV industry over the coming decade.  Civilian, law enforcement and military applications in UASs are expected to be a dynamic growth sector in the aerospace industry over the next 10 years with the UAS market forecast to grow to more than US$82.1 billion between 2015 and 2025 (AUVSI Economic Report 2013) and the global airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ('ISR') market estimated to grow to US$19.23 billion by 2023.  Strat Aero already has major contracts in place with international aviation companies, government bodies and universities including and importantly, an agreement with one of the largest US defence contractors to train military pilots to fly fixed wing UAVs at its Roswell centre.

 

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