Volume
48, No. 15, August 24, 2006
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HEADS
UP: HACTS will deliver significant advantages over the older
system, in service for 21 years.
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Photo
by CPL Peter Borys.
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HORNET
simulator training has taken a step into the 21st century, with
the commissioning into service of the first of three new simulators
at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Two of the simulators will be installed at Williamtown, the third
at RAAF Base Tindal.
The Hornet Aircrew Training System (HACTS) simulator replaced
the original system at a ceremony at the base on August 16. That
system gave 21 years of faithful service, turning out hundreds
of the world’s finest fighter pilots since its commissioning
in 1985.
In May 2004, under a $93 million deal, Raytheon Australia was
contracted to provide three replacement F/A-18 Hornet flight simulators
as part of the Hornet Upgrade Project.
The HACTS simulators are based on the latest production Hornet
simulators in service with the United States Navy and Canadian
armed forces.
FLTLT Marcus De Puit from 278SQN said HACTS will deliver significant
advantages over the previous Hornet simulator systems.
The most noticeable is a 300-degree visual system in a dome configuration.
This will enable aircrew to engage in far more accurate air-to-air
and air-to-ground combat manoeuvres than was possible with the
previous simulator’s visual system. Night-vision goggle and
joint helmet-mounted cueing capabilities will be simulated, allowing
Hornet aircrew to practise hazardous operations in a safe environment.
“This provides [pilots] a far superior level of training,”
FLTLT De Puit said.
The new simulators are configured to reflect the current Hornet
Upgrade Phase 2.2 baseline, and can be linked to provide multi-pilot
training in a simulated tactical environment.
“This means they simulate the latest Hornet avionics systems,”
FLTLT De Puit said.
“By operating collaboratively, pilots in each simulator can
fly either allied missions or against each other, increasing the
breadth of training possible.”
“From an ACG perspective, the new simulators will be a huge
boost in simulation training capability.
“The more simulation training we can do in the safety of
the ground environment, the better it will be for crews in the
air.”
The first simulator and associated items were accepted into service
at RAAF Base Williamtown on June 19. The second unit has been
installed and tested at Tindal, and is scheduled to commence training
almost immediately. The third unit will be installed at Williamtown,
and set to work in early 2007.
Raytheon Australia is contracted to provide in-service support
for the simulators.
