L-3 Link Simulation & Training, based in Arlington, Texas., was awarded contract modifications from Computer Sciences Corp. to provide a third OH-58D Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) and convert three existing UH-60A/L Instrument Flight Trainers (IFT) to full-motion OFTs in support of training services for the U.S. Army’s Flight School XXI program.
The OH-58D OFT will be delivered to Flight School XXI in the fourth quarter of 2012, while the three UH-60A/L IFTs will be converted to OFT configurations during the first, second and third quarters of the year. The UH-60A/L OFTs will provide the motion cueing capability needed to support training on critical flight tasks.
“Flight School XXI is increasing its annual student throughput, and these simulators will help meet the demand to train U.S. Army aviators to become highly skilled in their go-to-war aircraft,” said Bob Birmingham, president of L-3 Link. “High-fidelity flight simulation solutions are proving to be very affordable and efficient in improving aircrew operational readiness, and these additional systems will help extend Flight School XXI’s training effectiveness.”
The OH-58D and UH-60A/L OFTs each will have a high-fidelity cockpit that moves on a six degree-of-freedom electric motion system. A supplemental secondary motion system will simulate vibration associated with helicopter flight. Aircrews will view out-the-window computer-generated imagery through both wide field-of-view and chin window displays. High-fidelity software will accurately simulate each platform’s engine, electrical, hydraulic, navigation and communication systems, in addition to weapons, sensors and aircraft survivability equipment.