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Cobham is looking to introduce simulation training for aerial refuelling of its hose and drogue units, as part of its suite of support services.
Kenneth Kota, senior vice-president business development and technology at Cobham’s mission systems sector, says it has started to reach out to simulator manufacturers to look at how to integrate training on using hose and drogue aerial refuelling.
“We’ve had some very, very early discussions with a range of potential partners or customers that are all very much interested,” he says.
At present, Kota says that military training on aerial refuelling is “very rudimentary”, and that using simulation could allow pilots to gain more familiarity and skills before undertaking real-world hook-ups.
Underpinning any simulator development is a strong amount of data modelling of hose and drogues that Cobham has undertaken. This has allowed the company to continue to refine designs of the drogue, and gain further understanding of its behaviour in different conditions.
Cobham supplies its hose and drogue units on a number of platforms, including the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport, Boeing KC-46A Pegasus and Embraer KC-390. It also supplies the probe on a range of aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35, Bell Boeing V-22 and Saab Gripen.
Source: Flight Daily News
