In what Thales Australia dubbed as a “world first for a combat helicopter simulator,” its Tiger ARH (Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter) Crew Procedural Trainer (CPT) has been accredited at the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey, Queensland.
“Tiger CPT is accredited as a Level 2 Flight Training Device,” Brian Wellington, CEO of Simulinc, the accreditation authority, said in a statement. “The tests were completed in one week instead of the scheduled two, with minimal failures…this is an excellent result,” he added.
This follows last year’s accreditation and delivery by Eurocopter’s Australian Aerospace to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) of one of the world’s most sophisticated aircrew training systems–a twin-domed Full Flight & Mission Simulator (FFMS).
The Thales CPT completes a suite of sophisticated training devices incorporated in the AIR 87 acquisition program under which the Army will receive 22 Tiger ARHs, and enlarges the Oakey Centre’s crew training capabilities.
It is the first time a tactical trainer of this type has received such high-level accreditation, which covers flight and tactical functionalities, including weapons system with sensors, plus Night Vision Helmet capability, Thales said.
According to Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s managing director, the accreditation marked another highlight for the company’s simulation business. “This outcome is the result of close and successful cooperation between all those involved, and is another example of the high quality solutions Thales delivers to the ADF.”