Retro chic: classic Hunters come back into fashion

Over the past quarter of a century, the UK has been in the forefront of efforts to 'contractorise' service provisions such as training, facilities management and engineering support. It has also given private sector consortia responsibility for delivering operational enablers such as military sealift and aerial refuelling.

That trend is set to continue. Current austerity is driving the search for further efficiencies, and reductions in the UK's fast jet inventory resulting from the Strategic Defence and Security Review have diminished the assets available to support UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN) training and readiness. At the same time, there remains a need to more realistically replicate new generations of air threat (characterised by expanded kinematic performance and advanced electronic signatures) so as to improve overall training efficacy.

It is the aim of fast jet services provider HHA to prise open this emerging market, taking its cue from existing operations overseas. The fast jet outsourcing model was successfully pioneered on the other side of the Atlantic, with Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), set up in 1994, acknowledged as its most successful exponent. ATAC currently operates a fleet of F-21 Kfir, Hunter Mk 58 and L-39 Albatros aircraft to service the various threat replication, dissimilar air combat training, target towing, and air controller training needs of the US Air Force, US Marine Corps and US Navy.