Rockwell Collins opens simulation & training centre

Rockwell Collins opened a new UK simulation and training facility in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, on 5 November. The centre will provide a focal point for the company’s commercial and military simulation and training solutions to its customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EuMEA).

The new centre integrates operations previously located in Horsham, that were gained through the acquisition of Evans & Sutherland in 2006; with Burgess Hill operations, gained through the acquisition of SEOS in 2008. 

The facility will design, develop, manufacture and deliver high-fidelity, high-contrast, display and projector systems for use in highly immersive simulation and training applications for commercial and military aviation, call-for-fires scenarios, unmanned aircraft control and operations, and ground vehicle operations and maintenance. 

LeAnn Ridgeway, vice president and general manager, Simulation and Training Solutions, Rockwell Collins, said: ‘The creation of this centre of excellence in EuMEA is another step toward achieving our vision of growing our simulation and training solutions business through a multipronged strategy.

‘We are acquiring the right capabilities, continuing to invest in research and development, expanding globally, working with partners and applying our expertise in integration so that we work together as one cohesive system.’

The company also introduced a number of new systems at the facility, including RealFires; a new targeting training solution that uses both real and virtual environments. It provides day and night targeting simulation, with the flexibility to include a mix of live, artificial intelligence-based and programmed role players. The system is also capable of including remote role players in flying aircraft.

Also unveiled was the ProSim ultra contrast projector, designed to enhance simulation through a native contrast ratio, using patented technology to simultaneously display darker blacks and lighter whites. According to the company, ProSim’s new Intensity Management System maintains constant brightness over the lifetime of the projector by adjusting the lamp’s power supply to the lamp to compensate for bulb degradation, and keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum.