L-3 Link Simulation & Training to Build Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Simulator

L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division to build an F/A-18D Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The F/A-18D TOFT is scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of 2014 to an RMAF base in Butterworth, Malaysia. The F/A-18D TOFT will consist of two cockpits, one for the pilot and another for the weapons systems officer. The trainer will be able to simulate formation flight, suppression of enemy defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, air refueling, emergency procedures, and day and night strike missions. “We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and look forward to delivering a highly advanced F/A-18 training system,” said Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. “This state-of-the-art F/A-18D Tactical Operational Flight Trainer will leverage proven simulation technologies we have fielded to the U.S. Navy and other international F/A-18 customers.” Each cockpit will be encompassed by L-3 Link’s immersive, 360-degree high-definition SimuSphere HD-9 visual display, which will help maximize RMAF F/A-18D aircrew training and readiness. By combining four advanced technologies – high-definition databases, image generation systems, physics-based processing and a visual system display – SimuSphere HD-9 supports real-world day and night out-the-window visual cueing and high-fidelity cockpit sensors. Night operations will be supported by the use of actual flight night vision goggles stimulated with real-world effects, including halos, light blooms, and weapon launches and detonations. The TOFT will also include Link’s brief/debrief system and an instructor/operator station.