Royal Netherlands Air Force acquires eight Pilatus PC-7 MKX turboprops
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) signed a contract with Pilatus on Friday to acquire eight PC-7 MKX turboprop trainers as well as four flight simulators.
A separate agreement provides for support for the aircraft for five years.
The turboprop trainers will replace older PC-7s received in 1988 and which will reach the end of their service life in 2027, the year in which deliveries will begin.
The aircraft, which performs Elementary Military Kite Training (EMVO) at the RNAF, is tasked with training pilots for the 5th generation F-35A Lightning II fighters, as well as helicopters.
“We have had a long and good relationship with Pilatus. With the contract signing for a state-of-the-art learning environment we are extending this partnership for another 30 years,” stated the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
“We’re delighted to announce this contract for our new PC-7 MKX training system and we thank Holland for its decision! This marks the beginning of a new era of basic flight training in the Netherlands, which – I am sure – will set a new standard that other air forces will seek to follow,” stated Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus.
The Netherlands will be the first country to operate the PC-7 MKX, which incorporates upgrades such as a cockpit with three high-definition multifunction screens.
Check out the technical specifications of the PC-7 MKX
- Take-Off Distance Over 15 m Obstacle (Sea Level): 460m
- Landing Distance Over 50 ft Obstacle (Sea Level): 690m
- Max Rate of Climb (Sea Level): 815 m/min
- Max Cruise Speed (Vh) at Sea Level: 445 km/h
- Max Horizontal Speed (Vh) at 3,048 m: 465 km/h
- G Loads Aerobatic (With landing gear up and locked or down and locked): + 7.0 g | – 3.5 g
- G Loads Utility (With landing gear up and locked or down and locked): + 4.5 g | – 2.25 g
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