Babcock International France Aviation to train pilots for the French Air Force and Navy
Babcock to train French Air Force and Navy pilots under the Mentor 2 program
Notified on December 31, 2024, this contract marks the final phase of the modernization process for fighter and transport pilot training, which began several years ago for the benefit of the French Armed Forces. Known as "Mentor 2," this contract includes the deployment of 22 Pilatus PC-7 MKX aircraft and 12 flight simulators developed by Exail in Salon-de-Provence.
The goal of this contract is to significantly improve pilot training, enhancing its quality and ensuring effective continuity in the instruction process. Additionally, centralizing the basic training phase at a single site with a single type of aircraft will help reduce course duration, making the process more efficient.
Under the direction of the Directorate General of Armament (DGA) and in close collaboration with the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy, the Mentor operation aims to renew the training of fighter and transport pilots currently carried out in Cognac (16) and Salon-de-Provence (13).
Phase Mentor 2, which represents the second stage of this modernization process, envisions, in the long term, replacing the entire fleet of GROB 120A in Cognac and Cirrus SR20 in Salon-de-Provence with a single aircraft: the Pilatus PC-7 MKX, which will be deployed at the Provence site. This model, more advanced than its predecessors and equipped with a turboprop engine, offers characteristics and instrumentation systems closer to the aircraft students will handle at the end of their training.
The objective is to optimize the training of Air and Space Force and Navy pilots by centralizing the resources needed for the basic phase at one site, while increasing the use of simulators and modern teaching tools.
The “Mentor I” program, which focuses on advanced fighter pilot training, is conducted with Pilatus PC-21 aircraft at the Cognac-Châteaubernard Air Base. The PC-21 replaced the Alpha Jet twin-engine jet trainers.
Pilatus PC-7 MKX
The PC-7 MKX is an enhanced and modernized version of the iconic Pilatus PC-7 MkII trainer aircraft. Retaining the robust and proven structure of its predecessor, this new model is designed to provide basic training for young military pilots for many years, meeting the demanding requirements of durability and maneuverability essential for developing fundamental pilot skills.
The PC-7 MKX features few external modifications, such as a more aerodynamic nose and small aerodynamic winglets. However, the most significant changes are inside, with a modern cockpit equipped with cutting-edge multifunctional displays that replace the old mechanical instruments. Additionally, the aircraft now includes Martin-Baker ejection seats and an improved air conditioning system, enhancing comfort and efficiency during training.
The Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) has also been upgraded, incorporating technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), ensuring more effective training.
In summary, the PC-7 MKX is a "smarter" trainer thanks to its new avionics and the integration of advanced training systems, making it a more efficient and cost-effective option for pilot training.
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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