Customer: Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD)

User: U.S. Marine Corps

ASI received a contract from NAWCTSD (under the TSC-II Lot 1 contract vehicle) for the development, fabrication, and testing of modifications to the CH-53E and CH-46E APTs, Devices 2F171 and 2F172 located at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

The purpose of these modification efforts was to increase full training system reliability and to reduce total life cycle support costs and obsolescence issues.

The USMC knew ASI alone could reduce their total ownership cost by leveraging commonality with other fielded United States Marine Corps (USMC) training devices and maximizing use of Commercial Items while still improving training fidelity.

The development and modifications included the replacement of the Visual System Image Generator and Projector System, a new Instructor Operator Station, and the replacement and integration of the Host Computer System. The replacement of the host included the integration of the Marine Corps Aviation Common Computing Environment (MACCE) system.

ASI is also providing improvements to the trainer to correct previous operational deficiencies and to provide new Visual System Databases.

The following CH-53E and CH-46E trainer systems were developed and/or integrated by ASI:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Tactics System
  • Control Loading
  • Aircraft systems
  • Avionics
  • Trainer I/O
  • Instructor / Operator Station
  • Out-the-Window Visual System
  • Autopilot
  • Rotor System
  • Navigation
  • Host Computer system

ASI also provided Program Management and Logistics Support services to support the successful completion of this program.

The primary use of the CH-53E and CH-46E APTs is to train Marine Corps pilots in those unique skills and techniques involved with cockpit familiarization, flight characteristics, operating procedures, and mission procedures.