Sponsored by Meggitt Training Systems
https://meggitttrainingsystems.com/
————————————————————————-
05 Sep 19. UK MoD training too few pilots: NAO report. A report from the UK National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed the Ministry of Defence is failing to meet training requirements for aircrew by almost half.
The investigation released today showed that over the past six years – leading up to 2018-19 – the MoD fell short of training requirements by on average 45%, equalling around 125 personnel a year.
Pilots also take far longer to train than in the past. The report says the average training for pilots to operate fast jets takes just over seven years, three years more than the MoD’s aim of 3.9 years.
In response to the findings, an MoD spokesperson said: “The Military Flying Training System (MFTS) is the biggest transformation of UK military aircrew training in a generation and we welcome the NAO report on this programme.
“Although we acknowledge there have been some challenges, the transition to the new system is now well underway and a steady improvement in aircrew throughput is being seen in all areas.”
As of this July, the NAO found that 145 RAF students have been waiting around over 90 weeks to being their training.
The report reads: “The MoD has long recognised issues with flying training. In 2008, it agreed a 25-year contract with Ascent – a joint venture between two defence contractors, Lockheed Martin and Babcock – to design, introduce and manage a new approach to Phase 2 of its three-phase training process, known as the Military Flying Training System (MFTS). This is when aircrew learn basic flying skills.
“However, aircrew requirements for MFTS have changed since the contract was awarded in 2008. In 2010, the MoD halved its aircrew requirement under the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, which contributed to a six-year delay in introducing the system.”
In 2015, after halving aircrew requirements five years earlier, the MoD decided to acquire new aircraft and increased training requirements. In 2018-19 the requirement was increased by 29 per cent, equating 76 extra personnel.
The report added: “For the MFTS to operate effectively, the MoD and Ascent must both meet their respective contractual obligations. Failure to do so has led to delays and cancellation of courses. As of March 2019, 44 out of the 369 planned training courses (12%) had been cancelled.
“Of these, 28 related to the MoD not fulfilling its responsibilities including not providing enough qualified instructors or students. There were also occasions where the MoD and Ascent have failed to provide sufficient numbers of aircraft.”
The MoD insisted it does have enough aircrew to meet operational requirements, adding that “Student throughput is steadily increasing as the new aircraft, simulators and other state-of-the-art training aids bed in.”
It added that while students are awaiting training they are distributed across the Armed Forces to help fill in other operational needs. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
05 Sep 19. RTSYS will be exhibiting two kinds of ASW Training Target : a fast and lightweight recoverable one called SEMA and a new expandable one called NemoTrak, both for sonar and torpedo training. RTSYS will also be exhibiting its diverheld system SONADIVE well known by EOD divers around the globe. All RTSYS products are driven by SDA technology (Synchronous Data Acquisition) which allows very neat acoustic rendering and low energy consumption. 75% of RTSYS turnover is made abroad also thanks to an office in Singapore and a broad network of distributors. RTSYS collaborates since many years with the French Navy and other NATO Navies all over the world. Come meet us stand N7-419!
03 Sep 19. Inzpire’s Targeted Fidelity Simulator Receives Upgrades Ahead of DSEI. Inzpire’s innovative Targeted Fidelity Simulator (TFS) has been upgraded with a number of capabilities which will be on show to the public for the first time at DSEI 2019. Harnessing years of engineering, simulator and training experience, the TFS has been developed by a number of Inzpire’s ex-military personnel to provide a fully customisable alternative to traditional full motion simulators which are typically costly, necessitate large spaces for installation and do not always deliver the required training need. This year, the TFS has been upgraded to feature higher fidelity instruments and displays than ever before and for the duration of the DSEI show will be in an EC135 helicopter configuration. The simulator will be operating using Bohemia Interactive Simulations Blue IG and VBS3 software to drive the visual system and generate the tactical training environment.
DSEI will also be an opportunity for the customer to once again experience the Targeted Fidelity Simulator’s electro-optic and infra-red sensor camera replication, enabling training in preparation for the use of cameras both in a military operational environment and for use on search and rescue or police helicopters. Additionally, the cockpit has now been optimised to fully integrate Inzpire’s GECO Mission Support System.
Post-DSEI, the TFS will be further upgraded with the addition of a rear cabin area which will include a crew-served weapon and winch operator training capability. The rear cabin area will utilise virtual reality headsets to provide the crew with full 360 degree views around the helicopter. This whole crew helicopter demonstrator capability will be available to customers from the end of October 2019. Additionally, the TFS will soon be integrated with Pitch Technologies Pitch Talk software, which will introduce a networked communications capability.
Steven Pook, Inzpire’s Targeted Fidelity Simulator programme manager, said of the developments: “Our aim at Inzpire is to create a revolution in simulation training and we have continued to develop our targeted fidelity simulator to ensure it remains at the leading edge of mission training. Inzpire’s collective training and operational experience in live and simulated environments helps us to design and deliver the very best simulator training systems for our customers and the TFS device we have brought to DSEI fully demonstrates Inzpire’s intent to live up to our aim”.
A fully functional TFS will be showcased on Inzpire’s stand S9-250 throughout DSEI.
Inzpire’s Targeted Fidelity Simulator
The Inzpire Targeted Fidelity Simulator is an adaptable training solution which ensures that the cockpit configuration and systems can be designed to meet the exact level of fidelity required by each individual customer. The design and fidelity of the simulator can be tailored to deliver training solutions across a wide range of platforms including helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, unmanned air systems, ground control stations and forward air controller environments. The interoperable nature of the TFS system also means that it is an ideal solution for those looking to deliver training that incorporates multiple aircraft or units that are geographically dispersed. The simulators can be networked together, enabling multiple participants to train at a single facility or across different locations to provide a cost-effective collective training solution.
Inzpire’s GECO System
Inzpire’s GECO System is designed to enhance the safety of missions through its suite of safety and aircrew assistance applications. The system increases mission effectiveness through the provision of situational awareness and decision assistance applications, whilst offering outstanding value for money through the use of commercial off the shelf hardware solutions where appropriate. There are over 400 GECO Systems in service with the Royal Navy, Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force along with overseas customers including the Royal Jordanian Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force.
22 Aug 19. AERALIS, the British company developing a highly innovative new generation of military jet trainer aircraft, will be exhibiting at DSEI .
On display on the AERALIS stand will be both a Virtual Reality Experience of the AERALIS design together with a scale model of its Common Core Fuselage, a unique modular concept that will be fully customisable in terms of engines, outer wings and avionics, enabling end-users to configure their fleet of training aircraft to match the precise needs of their trainee pilots at any point in time.
Tim Davies, AERALIS Strategy Director, along with other members of the AERALIS team will be giving briefings about the company’s complete training concept at 2.00pm every day. The briefings will cover:
- What is 6th Generation Flying Training?
- The ‘Gamification’ of AERALIS Flying Training
- Physical and mental health for fighter jet pilots
- Minimising Failure in Flying Training
AERALIS is very much looking forward to the opportunity that DSEI will offer to meet and initiate strategic discussions with potential new investors, customers and other business partners from across the world.
The new suite of AERALIS aircraft will be leased as part of a complete pilot training system which will be delivered by instructors who have a full understanding of the technical, physiological and psychological stresses that pilots will be required to manage as the development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft continues.
AERALIS has already built its own highly experienced team and is currently working with a number of leading aerospace and defence industry partners to refine and deliver its inclusive offer which is set to significantly reduce the present cost of training fighter jet pilots.
————————————————————————-
Meggitt Training Systems, makers of FATS® and Caswell technologies, a division of Meggitt PLC, is the leading supplier of integrated live-fire and virtual weapons training systems. Meggitt Training Systems continues to grow its capabilities based on the legacy of these two industry leaders.
Over 13,600 Meggitt live-fire ranges and 5,100 virtual systems are fielded internationally, providing judgmental, situational awareness and marksmanship training to the armed forces, law enforcement and security organizations. Meggitt Training Systems employs more than 400 people at its headquarters in Atlanta and at facilities in Orlando, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, UAE, Australia and Singapore. It can deploy service personnel anywhere in the world for instructor training, system installation and maintenance. Learn more at https://meggitttrainingsystems.com/
————————————————————————-