BAE Systems delivers new F-35 Lightning II simulator for flight trials
NewsMarch 31, 2017
LONDON. BAE Systems has developed a new F-35 Lightning II flight simulator facility aimed at enabling pilots to prepare for trials on the U.K. Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier. The ?2m (approximately $2.5 million) simulator facility is intended to be an immersive experience for naval pilots to practice takeoff and landing on the navy's new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier under challenging sea and weather conditions.
The custom-made simulator is made up of a cockpit moved by an electronic motion platform and a faithful representation of the ship’s flying control tower (FLYCO), where a landing signal officer onboard the carrier controls aviation operations.
The simulator will be used by U.K. and U.S. military test pilots who are experienced in flying F-35s on U.S. carriers. Using the simulator, pilots will practice thousands of ski-jump short takeoffs and vertical landings that use both the vertical thrust from the jet engine and aerodynamic lift from the F-35's wings, allowing the aircraft to take off and land on the carrier with increased weapon and fuel loads compared to previously used aircraft.
The new BAE Systems simulator replaces a previous trainer, which was first built in the 1980s to develop technology for the Harrier jump jet and Hawk advanced jet before being converted for F-35 simulation.
