New maintenance trainer for MQ-4C developed

The US Navy is set to roll out a new virtual reality training system to prepare its maintainers for the deployment of the MQ-4C Triton UAS later this year.

Developed with ProActive Technologies, the 3D virtual reality trainer is known as the Multi-Purpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS 3D). It will be based at Triton’s fleet schoolhouse at the navy’s Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) detachment in Point Mugu.

MRTS 3D provides a cost-effective alternative to hardware training systems. It is a personal computer-based system that provides a virtual training environment and gives students the ability to perform hands-on training before interacting with the actual aircraft. It gives students the opportunity to identify issues, perform troubleshooting and solve the problem; while also gaining experience with general maintenance procedures.

The system is in its final build testing stage and the CNATT detachment will soon incorporate in the schoolhouse curriculum, along with five additional training devices built for the programme. Maintainers will have a combination of academic learning and hands-on experience with electrical, mechanical and composite repair as well as landing gear, avionics, fibre optic repair, flight controls and engine trainers before deploying with the Triton’s squadron, VUP-19, later this year.

Lt Cmdr Charlie Steele, Triton training systems lead, said: ‘The more training we can do early on, the more effective our maintainers will be at improving aircraft readiness. Aircraft readiness has a direct link to the aircrew's ability to provide persistent tactical employment of the MQ-4C Triton and provide combatant commanders with the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance necessary to sustain the CNO's mission of maintaining maritime superiority.’