Earlier this week, representatives of BVR Systems told Aero-News it has been contracted by Aermacchi S.p.A., a leading manufacturer and producer of modern military training aircraft in Europe, to upgrade two flight simulators of the MB339A aircraft for a total value of US $4.5 million.

The program will include development and manufacture of all components of the MB339A simulators, according to BVR Systems, except for the cockpits of sims in service for the Italian Air Force -- which will be re-used and upgraded.

The systems will simulate the MB-339A training aircraft (below) MBin its Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) configuration, and will include BVR Systems' advanced simulation software -- a modern visual system providing a 170 degree horizontal field of view, and a high-resolution visual database.

The upgraded systems provide real-time performance and realistic simulation.

The two MB-339A MLU simulators are scheduled to be delivered to the Italian Air Force during 2007. This contract follows BVR's successful delivery, in 2003, of the MB-339 CD full mission simulator currently in service at the Italian Pilot Training School (61st Squadron) in Lecce-Galatina.

BVR Systems' Chief Executive Officer, Ilan Gillies, said the new order is an important achievement for the Company, as BVR will be delivering these simulators to an already established customer.

"We are proud to provide these simulators to Aermacchi and the Italian Air Force," said Gillies. "This contract is proof of the confidence of the customer in BVR's advanced simulation product. We are pleased to cooperate once again with Aermacchi, and hope that this will further cement our relationship in the simulation and embedded training markets."

"BVR considers Aermacchi as a strategic partner for long term developments of advanced training and simulation solutions," added Gillies.

FMI: www.bvrsystems.com