Lockheed contracted for Air Force trainers

• Tweet

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin will deliver four weapons systems trainers and provide management and engineering services for a U.S. Air Force C-130J program.

The trainers and services are for the first phase of the service's C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System II program for its Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Special Operations Command.

The contract carries a value of $84 million.

The three commands will begin instruction on the weapons systems trainers in 2014.

The training systems feature the latest simulation technology, including an electronic motion platform, an enhanced visual system and distributed mission operations networking that allows aircrews to train with remote and virtual participants.

The equipment allows aircrew and maintenance personnel to engage in extensive ground-based training prior to training on the aircraft.

"These new systems will help the Air Force maximize aircrew and maintenance training while minimizing costs of operating aircraft for training," said Jim Weitzel, vice president of training and engineering services in Lockheed Martin's Global Training and Logistics business.

"The training systems allow personnel to practice airmanship skills, operational missions and emergency and maintenance tasks in a low-risk, high-benefit environment."

MATS II complements the original C-130J MATS program, which Lockheed Martin has managed since 2000, to provide a comprehensive range of training devices and training support services, including aircrew and maintenance personnel instruction, program operations and engineering services.