A400M cockpit

Thales has been awarded a multi-million pound contract for the delivery of an additional A400M military transport aircraft full-flight simulator to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF).

Awarded by Airbus Defence and Space, the contract covers delivery of the second A400M full-flight simulator (FFS) to the RAF Brize Norton training facility in Oxfordshire, UK, where the fleet is scheduled to be based.

Comprising aircraft hardware and software that simulates the initial configuration of the A400M aircraft cockpit, the simulator, along with the first FFS ordered under a £50m deal in July 2012, will help RAF train aircrews in the operation of the A400M aircraft.

The first contract, awarded by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), also included the supply of a simulator support system (SSS) to facilitate full use of the simulator’s capabilities for flight training and military mission rehearsals.

Thales UK avionics business vice-president Peter Hitchcock said the contract follows on previous orders for A400M full flight simulators from Spain, France, Germany and the UK.

"It confirms Thales as a leading military training service provider for the UK Ministry of Defence," Hitchcock said.

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"The contract follows on previous orders for A400M full flight simulators from Spain, France, Germany and the UK."

In addition to software and hardware that can replicate A400M’s ground and flight operations in various natural and tactical environments, the simulator also features an enhanced field-of-view visual system, which is capable of supporting training in all aircraft manoeuvres, including air-to-air refuelling and low-level tactical operations.

Additional components include a six degrees of freedom motion system, on-board and off-board instructor stations, and a record and replay system to aid crew briefing and debriefing.

A Thales and Airbus Defence and Space joint venture (JV) company A400M Training Services (ATSL), will manage the support services and maintenance of the simulator.

Additional contract details, including the value and delivery schedule remain undisclosed.


Image: Thales A400M full flight simulator includes hardware and software that simulates the initial configuration of the A400M aircraft cockpit. Photo: courtesy of Thales.

Defence Technology