Reflectone is awaiting a contract to build C-130J training devices for the Italian air force under its teaming deal with aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Eighteen aircraft are due to be delivered to Italy, starting in 2000.
The US company has received a letter of intent to procure for the Italian air force a dynamic mission simulator (DMS) and cockpit avionics part-task trainer (PTT) - similar to devices already developed for the UK Royal Air Force.
Reflectone's UK arm is prime contractor for the C-130J training system being installed at RAF Lyneham. This includes two DMS, one flight training device (FTD), a loadmaster rear cabin trainer, a suite of maintenance trainers, computer-based training and the training management system, all installed in a new schoolhouse constructed at Lyneham.
Acceptance testing of the first DMS, equivalent to a Level D standard commercial full-flight simulator, will begin in September, and Reflectone UK is to hand over the initial training system in February 1999, just ahead of the first C-130J squadron deliveries, which are scheduled to begin in March next year. The initial training system will include one DMS, the FTD and the maintenance trainers.
Both DMS, each equipped with a five-channel Evans & Sutherland ESIG-4530 visual system with 210¼-wide SEOS panoramic display, are operational at Reflectone UK's Filton plant. The simulators can be networked, enabling multi-aircraft training.
Reflectone, meanwhile, will deliver a C-130J cockpit systems familiarisation trainer to the Royal Australian Air Force in December. It has submitted a bid to Lockheed Martin to supply a cockpit avionics PTT for the US Marine Corps, which is receiving KC-130J tankers.
Both companies are waiting to see what the US Air Force will do about C-130J training. They have offered to build and operate a private-venture training centre, but Reflectone director of air force business development Jack Hales believes that the service will seek funding from US Congress to construct its own training centre.
Source: Flight International
