L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) [LLL] recently said it was awarded a contract from the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) to build two UH-60M Operational Flight Trainers (OFT) for the Taiwan army similar to those used on the U.S. Army’s Flight School XXI program.
This award represents L-3 Link’s first export sale of its advanced rotary-wing OFT product line and was a result of a letter of agreement between the United States and the Taiwan army.
The first UH-60M OFT, which will be delivered to Taiwan Army’s Shinshou Training Facility, will become ready for training during the fourth quarter of 2014 as the service begins to receive its initial UH-60M helicopters, which are produced by Sikorsky [UTX].
The second UH-60M OFT will begin training pilots during the first quarter of 2015.
Under a one-year contract, with an option for a second 12 months, L-3 Link will also provide contractor logistics support to maintain the UH-60M simulators and support equipment.
“We look forward to providing the Taiwan Army with advanced technology flight simulators that will enable UH-60M aircrews to gain aircraft-equivalent training for all modes of flight,” said Lenny Genna, president of L-3 Link, in a statement. “The delivery of the OFTs will enable the Taiwan Army to conduct pilot training commensurate with the U.S. Army’s Flight School XXI training capability.”
By integrating each UH-60M OFT with a Taiwan geo-specific database solution, the simulators will provide a realistic, high-fidelity virtual environment that immerses aircrews in high-definition, dynamic training scenarios. Aircrews will be able to use their actual flight night vision goggles when conducting simulated nighttime missions.
Each high-fidelity OFT will move on a six-degree-of-freedom electric motion system as a supplemental motion system simulates vibration associated with helicopter flight. High-fidelity software will accurately simulate each platform’s engine, electrical, hydraulic, navigation and communications systems, in addition to aircraft survivability equipment.