Customer training

AgustaWestland provides mission training solutions across the live, virtual and constructive domains designed to maximise operational performance, safety and mission effectiveness through high levels of individual, team and collective performance. Our synthetic training solutions incorporate desk-top trainers, fixed based flight deck systems and Full Mission Simulators. In the live training domain, we deliver the benefits of simulation to the airborne platform, through systems embedded within the architecture, and/or appended as role fit equipment. Both the live and synthetic systems may be integrated with AgustaWestland Mission Planning Systems to support complete mission training.

In the synthetic environment, mission training is delivered through tactical and systems modelling, with detailed visual systems and simulator networks. Examples include: 

• Fixed based cockpit mission and procedures trainers equipped with wide angle visual systems, modern high fidelity visual systems, comprehensive instructor operator stations, scenario models and simulated tactical systems. These systems provide cost-effective training, downloading tasks from the aircraft and full mission simulators. They are also very useful devices to install at the operational base, providing mission and procedures training remote from the central training school or hub. 

• Simulation networks, such as that operated by Aviation Training International Ltd (ATIL) for the Apache AH Mk1, where local area and wide area networks are also used to enable individual simulators to train together in a collective environment, reducing deployment costs. ATIL is an equal Joint Venture between AgustaWestland and The Boeing Company.

Our live training systems are flexible and deployable and support individual, team and multi-force collective training to advanced levels. These systems enable the full spectrum of offensive, defensive and military assistance operations to be rehearsed as a deployed exercise or at fixed training sites, as part of a full equipment battle group.
 
The Helicopter Collective Training System (HCTS) comprises role fit platform equipment supported by deployable ground targets and exercise control systems, to make every flight a potential training flight. This approach combines Class 1 eye-safe lasers with data links to deliver gunnery training in parallel with tactics training, whilst stimulating defensive aids systems to train threat avoidance. Radio and laser receivers are used to provide vulnerability to fire within the live exercise.
 
This approach to live training reduces the demand for ammunition, while increasing the opportunity for training in otherwise restricted training areas. The system has been designed to be interoperable with other training systems (including systems with MILES and Saab BT 46 laser codes) and has been successfully used alongside Target Weapon Effects Simulation (TAGWES) within the UK Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES), also offering compatibility to upgrade for deployable versions of TES in the future.
 
The Cabin Door Gun Trainer is a safe, efficient appended laser based training solution to support helicopter cabin gun training from moving aircraft against realistic static and moving targets without the need to deploy to specialist ranges or to expend live ammunition, with the capability integrate fully with fixed and deployable training environments such as TES.
 
Research and Demonstration includes the integration of  Air/Land training environments, supporting increasing co-operation of the helicopter with land forces and with fixed wing aircraft in close combat, including:

• Live/Virtual Integration: A successful demonstration by AgustaWestland with ATIL and The Boeing Company, integrating the live training and virtual training environments (using Apache AH Mk1 CTS & the ATIL simulator network). This highlighted benefits in force multiplication and tempo, along with reducing environmental demands and the pressure on the training fleet by lessening the impact of live aircraft. Other applications include the integration of UAVs into the live training domain, via their ground stations. 

• Air/Land Integration: Study activity and support to UK MoD sponsored demonstrations to integrate the Apache AH Mk1 CTS with training ranges and the fixed wing Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System (RAIDS). 

• Helicopter Collective Training System (HCTS), already implemented on the Lynx Mk7 Helicopter, provides full immersion and vulnerability within the collective training environment. This system is readily adaptable to most military helicopters, including support and light utility helicopters. HCTS has been integrated successfully by AgustaWestland into the Area Weapons Effects System (AWES), as used on fixed ranges by the UK and is compatible with deployable training systems. This enables the helicopter to participate in exercises with ground forces, including pre-deployment training. This integration is being extended to include fixed wing aircraft, extending the range and scope of the training conducted.

Collective Training System (CTS)

for the UK Apache AH Mk1, with radio based solutions for training at home stations (again, without deployment to specialist ranges) and a Class 1 eye-safe training laser system which provides laser range and supports live firing, for training ranges where laser eye safety is important. This system has a built-in growth capability towards the on-board simulation of weapons firing against ground targets (employing the widely used BT 46 and MILES training laser codes) and is integrated with Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (HIDAS).