HATSThales%20simulators.jpg” style=”padding:10px” width=”300″ />

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has been awarded a contract to train helicopter pilots from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the next 25 years.

Under the A$600m ($524.7m) JP 9000 phase seven, helicopter aircrew training system (HATS) contract, the company has partnered with Thales to develop a low-risk solution around the Airbus EC135 T2+, to better prepare Australian Army and navy pilots as they switch to the ADF’s current combat helicopter fleet.

BDA managing director and vice-president Kim Gillis said: "We will meet the needs of the ADF through a balanced programme that makes the most of its cadre of instructors, supported by flight simulators and computer-based instruction and training aircraft."

Australian Defence Materiel Organisation Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems and Guided-Weapons Division Helicopters head rear admiral Tony Dalton said: "This contract will introduce a modern helicopter training system that will support the next generation of army and navy aircrew transitioning to our modern combat helicopter."

Thales Training and Simulation business vice-president Jean-Jacques Guittard said: "These advanced technologies will ensure the next generation of Australian military helicopter pilots has access to some of the best training solutions on the market."

"This contract will introduce a modern helicopter training system that will support the next generation of army and navy aircrew."

The training system will include a purpose-designed syllabi based on 15 Airbus EC-135 glass-cockpit training helicopters and three full-motion Thales EC 135 flight simulators. It will also include a flight deck for the navy’s new sea-going training vessel, HMAS Albatross.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Specifically, the system will train the army and navy for advanced combat helicopters such as the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter, MRH-90 Taipan and MH 60R Seahawk Romeo, as well as the new CH-47F Chinook Foxtrot.

The initial operating capability for HATS is scheduled to be declared in late 2018.

However, the system will start receiving students before then, with a mature annual training capacity of up to 130 students covering pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrew, sensor operators and qualified aircrew returning instructor training.


Image: Thales is supplying three EC135 Reality H full-flight simulators and a suite of other synthetic training devices for the ADF’s helicopter aircrew training system. Photo: courtesy of Thales.

Defence Technology