Lockheed has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force (USAF) to provide for the first phase of the C-130J maintenance and aircrew training system (MATS) II programme, including programme management and engineering services.

Under the $84.3m contract, the company will deliver four weapons systems trainers to the Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command for aircrew instruction.

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The realistic training system features an electronic motion platform, an enhanced visual system and distributed mission operations networking.

The equipment allows aircrew and maintenance personnel to engage in ground-based training with remote and virtual participants before commencing training on the actual aircraft.

Instruction on the weapons systems trainers will begin in 2014.