05 Jan 2006
BAE Systems at Warton has appointed Keith Dennison as its new Chief Test Pilot. However, Keith does not just fly the state-of-the-art fast jets that hell find at Warton airfield, he also goes back to basics and displays vintage aircraft in his spare time.
Keith, who started in his new role in December 2005, brings with him a wealth of experience from over 30 years in the RAF.
During his time with the RAF, Keith was deeply involved in the conduct of the last Gulf War by running the MoD team in Whitehall that acted as the first point of contact between the MoD, the operational headquarters at Northwood and the front line. He has also been through the world-famous United States Navy Test Pilot School.
In the course of his career Keith has flown most of the BAE Systems fast jets: Tornado, Jaguar, Hawk and Harrier including a variant used at Boscombe Down for research on flight control laws for the latest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. His new role, he will soon add Eurofighter Typhoon to the list an aircraft he has a special affection for having spent six of his RAF years on the working party which developed the aircrafts cockpit. He said: I have always been very proud of the Eurofighter cockpit and felt that the working party which included members from the RAF and from BAE Systems did a great job.
Keith is looking forward to the challenges of his new role. He said: My background has given me valuable experience of how the MoD works at the highest levels in times of war as well as peace, experience which not too many people in BAE Systems have had. I loved my time in the RAF but am now looking forward to new challenges.
In his spare time Keith goes from flying at the cutting edge of technology to keeping our aircraft heritage alive by display flying vintage aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire or at Duxford in Cambridgeshire. At Shuttleworth youll find Keith at the controls of aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Westland Lysander, while at Duxford he flies and displays jets including a1948 F86A Sabre, the oldest airworthy jet aircraft in the world.
Keith and his family are in the process of relocating from Salisbury in Wiltshire to St Annes and are looking forward to getting to know the area better.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs over 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
For further information please contact:
Lucy Loughney, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0)1772 856525 Mobile: + 44 (0)780 171 6398
Email: lucy.loughney@baesystems.com
