MH-60R flight trainer enters service
The US Navy’s first CAE-built full-motion MH-60R tactical operational trainer (TOFT) has been declared operational and has entered service.
The helicopter training system entered service at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, near Jacksonville, Florida, CAE announced on 1 February.
This follows the awarding of a contract to the company on 26 January for the development of two additional MH-60R TOFTs for the navy. CAE said the contract is worth some $44 million, and both simulators are expected to be delivered by 2014.
Additional options for two more of the TOFTs are included in the contract and, if exercised, could bring the total to $78 million.
As well as the full-motion model now active at NS Mayport, CAE has provided an additional fixed-base version to Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, and one to NAS Jacksonville.
Along with the original contract signed in 2006, this new contract will ensure the delivery of seven MH-60R TOFTs, and two MH-60R avionics maintenance trainers to the navy.
CAE said the MH-60R TOFT includes an operational flight trainer, used to train pilots and co-pilots, as well as a weapons tactics trainer, used to train sensor operations in the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. The two trainers can be networked and used in joint operations.
In addition to this, the full-motion version features a ‘six degree-of-freedom’ CAE True electric motion system, as well as motion seats to provide vibrations and motion cueing for enhanced realism. CAE said the True electric system provides more accurate and authentic cues for pilot training, and is more environmentally friendly than other motion systems.
By Shephard staff
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