Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has completed the first PC-21 in-service flight in East Sale, Australia, marking a new milestone for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System, Lockheed Martin announced on 15 August.
The AIR 5428 Pilot Training System will train future pilots of the RAAF, Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Signed in December 2015, the initial seven-year AIR 5428 Pilot Training System contract is valued at AUD$1.2 billion ($940.3 million), with performance-based options to extend the value and length of the contract for up to 25 years.
Under the AIR 5428 contract, Lockheed Martin is providing overall project management for the pilot training system and delivering a family of integrated ground-based training technologies. Pilatus Aircraft is providing 49 PC-21 turboprop training aircraft and through-life engineering and airworthiness support, while Hawker Pacific is providing maintenance services and fleet support.
Vince Di Pietro, chief executive for Lockheed Martin Australia, said: ‘This milestone is a great achievement to all involved and we celebrate the Australian Defence Force's first flight in service and acceptance of the first six of 49 PC-21 aircraft, as the mainstay trainer for Australia's pilot training programme for decades to come.
'Combining the PC-21 turboprop training aircraft with training simulations and an electronic learning environment, Australia's new pilot training system will prepare Australia's next-generation pilots for mission success.’
PC-21 (Project Air 5428) [Australia]
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
The company will operate in two new locations in the coming years to better support US services.
This type of tool provides more realistic training easing the incorporation of new scenarios that accurately represent the threats of the battlefield.
The Engineering Corps has been conducting individual instruction using FLAIM Systems’ Sweeper and should start collective deployments in 2025.
The next-generation platform is motion-compatible and can be used in OTW and NVG applications.
The system can be used to prepare soldiers for both drone offensive operations and CUAS missions.