USN’s new CH-53K simulator ready for action
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has taken delivery of its first CH-53K King Stallion helicopter training simulator at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
The Containerised Flight Training Device (CFTD) has been manufactured by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Veraxx. It provides realistic cockpit and system displays and is capable of replicating a range of weather and tactical environments.
Col Jack Perrin, PMA-261 programme manager in NAVAIR, said: ‘It is a much less expensive practice than using operational equipment and provides near-aircraft fidelity into a state-of-the-art training simulator for the fleet.’
Delivery of two other CH-53K training devices are also expected to arrive at MCAS New River by 2021, including the Helicopter Emulation Maintenance Trainer and the Composite Maintenance Trainer.
CH-53K King Stallion aircraft are in the process of completing development tests with Initial Operational Test and Evaluation due to take place in 2021 and the first fleet deployment in 2023-2024.
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