Exactly. To be very honest, Aeralis would've looked better off had they just ditched this "basic and advanced trainer in the same time and more, through modules and reconfigurable airframe" rubbish. Just focus on the digital engineering part, implement new materials and other design methods and incorporate MOTS embedded logistics support system and advanced training suite from respective solution providers like Elbit, CAE, Red 6, etc. By doing so they'd be able to showcase that with digital engineering, non-traditional actors like start-ups could also tackle the military aircraft market like that of advanced trainer market.
Of course since they are a start-up, being sensible is not the point on their agenda but instead they'd want a revolution not a boring evolution since that's what attracts investors. Fancy buzzwords and concepts.
Afterall, what I've mentioned above would probably be better exectued by BAE and they probably would assume such role once they think they need a next-gen trainer to replace Hawk AJT and update their product portfolio, which is probably still at least decades away. Also, I'm currious if there's any security issues since those MOTS solutions that needs to be included for any future advanced trainers, especially the integrated trainer suite, could be a sensitive product.
The key here would be if UK MoD is interested in expanding the UKMFTS scheme going forward, that is, also including the acquisition of fast-mover trainer by the contractor. As you've said, Ascent is one of their partners, and given Aeralis' constant emphasis of application of their concept to the lease-based/military outsourcing business, it might be that they are aiming for the replacement of Hawk T1s still in service, which would probably need a replacement once current DE&S contract with BAE expires, which also ends by 2033. Then again, I don't know how it would even remotely be a sound idea to acquire Aeralis instead of additional Hawk T2s to replace those Hawk T1s. Maybe it could just so happen to be "too expensive" to acquire more Hawk T2s, as it has been the problem when the first Hawk T2 contract was being worked on.
