Six Trainers Delivered To USMC, Simulators Upgraded

L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) announced Thursday it has successfully completed the first phase of the U.S. Navy's F/A-18C/D Roadmap Procurement Program (RPP).

L-3 Link received this two-phase, five-year program in 2006. Under the first phase of the program L-3 Link has delivered six new F/A-18C/D Tactical Operational Flights Trainers (TOFTs). In addition, 16 existing U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 simulators have been upgraded to the new F/A-18C/D TOFT configuration.

The new F/A-18C/D TOFTs and upgraded simulators have been integrated with new photo texture databases to increase visual acuity, additional audio capabilities, increased malfunctions and enhanced instructor operator station functionality. Numerous aircraft concurrency upgrades have been integrated on the F/A-18C/D TOFTs to provide each simulator with the platform's latest aircraft capabilities.

"Our dedicated U.S. Navy and L-3 Link team has worked to ensure training device concurrency with the fleet aircraft," said Frank Casano, director of Maritime Programs for L-3 Link. "This high level of cooperation is benefitting U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps pilots today by enabling them to practice essential training and readiness tasks in the simulator before undertaking a mission in an aircraft."

Link F/A 18 Simulator

L-3 Link has begun work on phase two of the program, which calls for delivery of one additional  F/A-18C/D TOFT each to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan; MCAS Miramar, CA.; and the Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas. Phase two also will focus on ensuring the training devices remain concurrent with the aircraft, developing additional visual system databases, inserting new training technologies and making improvements in aerodynamic fidelity. These updates will be deployed to all F/A-18C/D training devices in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fleet.

FMI: www.L-3com.com