The Simulators (FMSims) F-35A Simulator has been successfully upgraded by Australian local experts to support the continuous development of pilot training at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base. Which is located in Williamtown
Led by program partner F-35A Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA), it is compatible with the latest flight flight program (OFP) installed on the aircraft.
The local upgrade team included successfully installing the software with US support for a two-week period in May without an actual US team presence.
"This was an important step because it is important for training devices and aircraft operating systems to remain compatible prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the F-35 Combat Office in the United States was planning," says Harley Dutty, ACSPO director of training systems at the Air Combat Systems Program Office. To send an installation team to all regions of the world, with FMSims actively used to complete the upgrade. The upgrade team consists of at least three American employees, including a test pilot. "
All F-35A simulators have been delivered to Air Force for operational use and upgrade to successfully completed local facilities is considered a precedent for future upgrades and could save Australia from travel and support cost during F-35 program. Australia will continue to improve the capabilities of local emulator.
As international travel is halted due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Royal Australian Air Force simulators will be incompatible with aircraft software configuration, unless a local support option is available and this delay will be more complex when issuing subsequent OFP software upgrades.
Australia has used information from its experience in the United States to create and expand an independent F-35A education system over the past 2-3 years.
Simulation plays an important role in F-35As training. Since 2018 Lockheed Martin Australia has worked at Williamtown base to increase Australia's current industry experience in F-35A training support roles, including pilots and maintenance coaches, curriculum developers, and simulation technicians, And support information systems.
As a result, 10 F-35A FMSims are to be installed. 6 of these simulators will be placed in Williamtown and 4 of them will be at the RAAF Base Tindal, and these simulators will support experimental training of the F-35A as long as conditions permit.
