Australian Contract Win

Pennant International Group PLC 4 September 2000 PENNANT INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC SECURES SIX-YEAR AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT CONTRACT WITH BAE SYSTEMS Pennant Training Systems Limited is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems to provide in-service support for the Royal Australian Air Force Hawk Lead-In Fighter Computer Based Training & Virtual Aircraft Training System, CBT&VATS, identified in Australia as CBIS/SMOTS. The in-service support contract of significant value will cover an initial period of six years commencing 1st October 2000. Under the contract Pennant will provide staff in Australia, supporting CBT&VATS installations at RAAF Williamtown and RAAF Pearce, with back up resources based in Cheltenham, England. Pennant will be responsible for ensuring the availability of CBIS/SMOTS for effective training is met in accordance with the contract. The service support provided by Pennant covers the hardware installations at the two bases, installed network, system and operating software, plus the Hawk Lead-In Fighter CBIS/SMOTS training media. Pennant has been developing CBIS/SMOTS, an integrated CBT&VATS, in partnership with BAE Systems since August 1999. CBIS, the Computer Based Information System, provides a comprehensive capability of delivering CBT courseware covering all Hawk Lead-In Fighter systems for the training of aircrew and groundcrew in both instructor-led and self-paced modes. The integrated SMOTS, the Systems Maintenance Operations Training System, is a virtual Hawk enabling free-play interaction between students and their virtual aircraft. SMOTS is designed for ground mode operation and is used to practice operational procedures, maintenance procedures and fault diagnostics. The instructor has the facilities to configure the virtual aircraft to represent its physical condition and its geographical positioning anywhere in the world. Students interface with the virtual aircraft as they would the real Hawk and have available to them simulated test sets and emulated ground support equipment. The first integrated CBT&VATS system developed by Pennant, covering the Hawk Mk100 and Mk200, entered service in the Asia/Pacific region in 1998. The first installation of CBIS/SMOTS at RAAF Williamtown was made in January 2000 and the second base installation is scheduled for later this year. 'We are delighted to have been selected by BAE Systems for this in-service support contract in Australia,' said Joe Thompson, Chief Executive Pennant International Group, 'it further strengthens our working relationship with BAE Systems and our leading position as supplier of Hawk training systems. It is a landmark contract and serves to reinforce our commitment to the Australian Defence Forces where, as a Group, we have other interests and product support commitments.' Pennant Training Systems Limited, formerly trading as Pennant International Limited, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pennant International Group plc, based in Cheltenham, England. Pennant International Group plc joined the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in March 1998. For further information, contact: Joe Thompson, Chief Executive, Pennant International Group plc: Tel: +44 (0) 1452 714881 Phil Barwell, Sales & Commercial Director, Pennant Training Systems Ltd: Tel: +44 (0) 1452 714914 Barrie Newton, Rowan Dartington: Tel: +44 (0) 117 925 3377 Ken Rees, Winningtons: Tel: +44 (0) 117 930 8839 Mobile: 07802 466 567
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