Elbit Systems has delivered two additional Full Mission Simulators (FMS) to the Directorate of Production and Procurement (DoPP) at the Israel Ministry of Defence (“MoD), for its overall M-346 LAVI Ground Based Training System (GBTS) centre, located at the Israel Air Force (IAF) Hazerim air base. The new simulators join an existing Operational Flight Simulators (OFS), inaugurated earlier this year, thus helping to support an immediate and growing need for advanced training of both fighter pilots and Weapon Systems Operators (WSOs). This comprehensive training solution emphasizes a ground based approach to in-flight training of aircraft operators. It has been selected by the IAF and DoPP in order to effectively and affordably prepare its pilots and WSOs to fly 4th and 5th generation fighters (F-16, F-15 and F-35).
Elbit Systems, the prime contractor, developed and delivered the GBTS center to the IAF together with Alenia Aermacchi (Finmeccanica Group), CAE and Selex ES (Finmeccanica Group) following a selection by TOR - Advanced Flight Training, a jointly-owned company of Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), responsible for the operation of the M-346 LAVI trainer aircraft. GBTS consists of multiple simulators that are connected to each other to create a joint network, which provides a nearly identical flight environment, obtainable without the time and expense of real flight.
Based on simulation technology and training capabilities found in Elbit's Sky Breaker mission training centre, the GBTS enables flight school cadets, as well as graduate pilots and WSOs, to practice unusual and in-flight emergency procedures, and at a more advanced level, to simulate complex combat scenarios, acting as solo pilots or as part of a formation. Both of the Centre's new simulators employ a real-image 360º display system, equipped with simulation models of actual weapons systems and high-fidelity Computer Generated Forces (CGF), which, working together, generate a wide range of immersive virtual combat environments.
"Our advanced virtual-constructive training solution introduces cutting-edge technology that enables IAF pilots to conduct effective and safe flight training, while ensuring their full-readiness in operating next-generation platforms," said Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of Elbit Systems' Aerospace Division. "Delivering the most realistic and immersive conditions possible in a ground-based setting, the new M-346 simulators are able to further increase the IAF's training capacity, by allowing its flight crews to better plan and perform full mission exercises - in much less time and using fewer resources."
