AERALIS, the British company developing a new class of military and aerobatic jet trainer aircraft, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KBR, Inc..

One of the world's leading providers of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the defence sector, KBR will bring its expertise as a leading international training services provider to benefit the further development and sales of the AERALIS system.

Richard Eastment, AERALIS Business Development Director, commented: "We're delighted to have signed this MoU with KBR. The fact that such a world-class organisation has expressed a desire to work with us helps to confirm our belief that we are on-track to deliver an unsurpassed fighter pilot training system whilst re-defining how to deliver this as a service in the most commercially flexible way."

Constructed around a common fuselage, the AERALIS suite of jet trainers will be fully customisable and will be leased to customers as part of a complete training system. Delivered by instructors who have a full understanding of the technical, physiological and psychological stresses that fighter jet pilots have to deal with, the AERALIS system will prepare trainees for the upcoming demands of sixth-generation combat aircraft.

Andrew Barrie, KBR President, Government Solutions EMEA added: "This agreement is a fantastic opportunity to align our own specialist capabilities in this area with AERALIS' innovative approach to military aircraft design and pilot training. We're excited to take this first step in what we hope will be a bright and valued future relationship."