May 11, 2009
AMBERLEY, Queensland, Australia, May 11, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has delivered a C-17 Aircrew Training System (ATS) to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), making Australia the first C-17 ATS customer outside the United States.
The ATS arrived at RAAF Base Amberley between April 26 and May 2 in two loads transported aboard C-17 Globemaster III airlifters operated by the RAAF's No. 36 Squadron. The system, provided through a U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sales contract, will be used to train RAAF C-17 pilots and loadmasters when it goes into operation in January 2010. It consists of a Weapons Systems Trainer, a Loadmaster Station, a Learning Center and support systems.
"Delivery of the first international C-17 ATS to Australia brings value and aircrew availability to our RAAF customer," said Nigel Page, Boeing Defence Australia C-17 ATS site lead. "Until now, all RAAF C-17 aircrews have been trained in the United States. The introduction of a local training capability will save the RAAF a considerable amount of money and time."
Engineers from Boeing and simulator manufacturer Flight Safety International will install the system in a purpose-built facility at Amberley. Boeing Defence Australia will provide instructors for aircrews' initial qualification and continuation training once the ATS goes into operation.
Group Capt. Andrew Doyle, new Airlift program director for the RAAF, said, "The shipment of the C-17 simulator components to Amberley represents a great milestone toward the achievement of Australian-based C-17 aircrew training. We look forward to the successful installation of the simulator over the forthcoming months and the commissioning of this fantastic capability."
The RAAF's No. 36 Squadron operates four C-17 Globemaster III airlifters from Amberley, all delivered by Boeing between November 2006 and January 2008.
The Australian C-17 ATS will be the 12th Boeing-developed, -operated and -supported ATS site. A total of 11 sites are currently active in the United States, providing training to the U.S. Air Force and customers in the United Kingdom and Canada.
The C-17 ATS guarantees very high graduation rates, meaning that Boeing provides remedial training if aircrews do not pass their flight evaluations. Each year, the ATS provides instruction to more than 1,500 new pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster students and follow-up training to more than 8,000 students globally.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Training Systems & Services, producer of the C-17 ATS, develops and produces a full suite of aircrew and maintenance-crew training devices that integrate high-fidelity flight decks, visual systems, instructor operating stations and software, all with the highest levels of realism.
Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary and a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, has more than 2,000 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia supporting programs for the Australian government and defense forces as well as international and commercial customers.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
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