Lockheed Martin plans to compete more aggressively for training device contracts after signing an $18 million contract with Israel to supply a flight and systems trainer for the F-16I. Israel’s Elbit Systems has received a separate $10 million contract to supply the avionics simulation, cockpit and visual system for the simulator.
Lockheed’s Akron, Ohio simulator development and production centre, which became part of the company’s Training & Simulation division last October, will integrate the trainers. Akron delivered a Boeing F-15I trainer to Israel in 2003. The F-16I device will be installed alongside it in 2008.
The two-seat F-16I is heavily equipped with Israeli systems, and the government-furnished avionics simulation equipment will make extensive use of actual aircraft boxes, says Lockheed programme manager Bill Baginski. This will allow Israel to keep the simulator concurrent as its aircraft are modified. Elbit will develop the avionics simulation, with subcontractor BVR Systems to supply the two-seat cockpit. Elbit is also responsible for selecting and supplying the visual system, which will combine a PC image generator and a 7.3m (24ft)-diameter, 210°-wide partial dome display.
“We plan to be more aggressive in competitions for device supply,” says Lorraine Martin, Lockheed’s vice-president of flight solutions. With a long history of building F-15 simulators, the Akron unit has also supplied the training system for the United Arab Emirates’ Block 60 F-16E/Fs, and will integrate Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter trainers.
■ Elbit has won a contract to supply the Israeli air force with a computer-generated forces system that will allow its attack helicopter and unmanned air vehicle simulators to work collaboratively under multiple joint mission scenarios.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
