Extends Production Of CH-47 Transportable Flight Proficiency Sims

WestWind Technologies was recently awarded a $37+ million contract to build additional CH-47 Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulators for Redstone Arsenal’s Cargo Helicopter Project Management Office, which is responsible for the Army’s CH-47 fleet worldwide. The program will include production of five build-to-print units and associated spares.

"WestWind Technologies has delivered a product within cost, schedule, and performance that will allow us to train soldiers much better in the future," said Cargo Helicopter Office Project Manager COL Newman Shufflebarger.

In January, WestWind Technologies delivered its first two CH-47F Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulator units ahead of schedule and marked the first time CH-47 simulators have been built in Huntsville. Four prototype units were produced at Patuxent River, MD by Manned Flight Systems, and WestWind began full-rate production in the fall of 2007. This new contract will continue that production program for the five new simulators.

The flight simulators contain the most current cockpit configuration and provide soldiers with a dynamic training environment for the newest heavy-lift cargo helicopters. The simulators are easily transported and include a cost-saving combination of commercial off-the-shelf and aircraft components as well as state-of-the-art graphics. These features combine to save considerable flight training costs while providing a realistic flight training environment for the soldiers.

As a small business in close proximity to the Aviation Program Executive Office at Redstone Arsenal, WestWind Technologies provides substantial program flexibility for more cost-effective and timely simulator manufacturing.   The company’s ability to meet and even accelerate production schedules contributes significantly to operational readiness and ensures that the pilots are fully prepared to fly the actual aircraft in a variety of environments and situations.

Delivery of the additional units will begin in January 2009, with final delivery the following October.

FMI: www.westwindcorp.com