Lockheed Martin has received a £51m contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver a new synthetic training system for the Royal Air Force’s Chinook Mk6 helicopter.
Under this 12-year contract, Lockheed Martin will be responsible to design and build a purpose-built training facility at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. The company will also provide a ten-year training service support package.
Lockheed Martin UK chief executive Stephen Ball said: "This new, purpose-built facility will use the very latest technology and simulators to replicate real-life operational scenarios and ensure RAF Chinook pilots and crew are trained to the highest standard.
"Lockheed Martin already has a proven track record in delivering effective training solutions to both civilian and military customers and we look forward to developing our relationship with RAF Odiham and the Chinook fleet."
The training facility will include two flight deck device simulators, a rear crew training device and a suite of computer based training facilities.
With the virtual reality technologies and simulators, the aircrew will receive an array of training sessions, including specific flying, emergency and mission capabilities of the Mk6 aircraft.
Currently, Lockheed Martin supports the training of MoD pilots through its role in Ascent that provides the UK Military Flight Training Service pipeline.
Meanwhile, the UK MoD has also awarded a £29m contract to AgustaWestland to deliver Merlin Mk 4/4a aircrew synthetic training devices.
The pilots will be trained on Merlin Mk 4/4a helicopters through new simulators in Somerset.
Image: UK Royal Air Force’s Chinook HC2 helicopter. Photo: courtesy of Adrian Pingstone.
