The station recently received a new F/A-18D Tactical Operational Flight Trainer 37 built by L-3 Communications Link Simulation and Training Division to provide better training for pilots here.
With its many beneficial features, the F/A-18D TOFT 37 will provide Marines here with the latest in simulation technology.
It is integrated with Link Simulation and Training’s SimuSphere visual system display and all the updated weapons and software real F/A-18 fighter jets are equipped with.
“This is just one step in getting into the future,” said Capt. John Helm, Marine Aviation Training System Site Iwakuni operations officer.
The F/A-18D TOFT 37’s integrated visual system provides a 360 degree out-of-window cockpit view and a cockpit sensor image display.
The training system is also equipped with two independent cockpits for a pilot and a weapons operator housed within a SimuSphere visual display system and allows both operators to fly together.
Pilots will be able to train on emergency procedure, carrier operation, air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical operations thought scenarios which can be run through the trainer.
While training in the F/A-18D TOFT 37, pilots can train against various opponents, to include Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG9 fighter jets.
“This will help the station’s mission, because now, with this trainer, we can accomplish 97 percent of all the training you need to do with the simulator,” said Helm. “Before, with the old device we had, we could do maybe 30 percent. This one has all the latest weapons, all the latest tactics, all the latest threats. They can get in, fly here and see the exact same thing in the aircraft when they get in the air.”
Helm said the new trainer will also help reduce costs in training as it costs approximately $6,000 an hour to train in a real F/A-18 and will only cost a few hundred dollars to train in the F/A-18D TOFT 37.
The training system also comes with a fully integrated mission briefing and debriefing room which can record and capture all mission event data while the mission is flown.
Pilots can fly out their missions in the trainer and afterward review their performance recorded by the debriefing system.
“The station did not have this capability,” said Trey Morrison, MATSS Iwakuni contracting officer representative. “We’re looking forward to a good experience with it.”
An additional feature the F/A- 18D TOFT 37 has is it can link to TOFT 37s in Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., and MCAS Miramar, Calif., allowing pilots to run through missions with other pilots halfway across the world.
“It doesn’t quite have that ‘seat of your pants’ feel, but it definitely makes you feel like you’re moving around and gives you a good sense of flying,” said Morrison.
Operation hours for the F/A-18D TOFT 37 will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the simulator is open to pilots with a secret clearance.