October 3, 2007 (by Asif Shamim) -
L-3 Communications has been awarded an $18.8 million contract from the USAF's Aeronautical Systems Center to build an F-16C block 52+ Aircrew Training Device (ATD) for the Hellenic Air Force.
The simulator when complete will be delivered by L-3 to the
HAF in 2009.
"We are very pleased to continue our 20-year working relationship with the
Hellenic Air Force on F-16 simulation programs," said John McNellis, President of Link Simulation and Training. "This simulator, when integrated with the F-16 ATD that L-3 Link delivered in 2005, will represent the first time that any country outside the United States has been able to conduct long haul networked exercises between F-16 high fidelity training devices."
HAF pilots will be able conduct simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground combat exercises using the simulator. During these exercises pilots will be able to acquire and identify targets and accurately deliver a range of ordnance. The trainer also will allow crews to practice takeoffs and landings, aerial in-flight refueling, low-level flight and emergency procedures. These training exercises, which will occur within a virtual, geo-specific database, can be impacted by a variety of simulated weather conditions.
Pilots will view out-the-window visual imagery on the trainer's nine-panel SimuSphere™ visual display that provides a 360 degree field-of-view. L-3's SimuView™ personal computer image generation system will power and correlate both out-the-window and cockpit sensor display imagery.
The company has also delivered F-16 pilot training equipment to
Egypt,
Taiwan,
Poland,
Denmark,
South Korea,
Jordan,
Oman and
Turkey.
