Lockheed Martin Aircrew Training System (ATS) C-130E simulators at Little Rock AFB, AR, have received a Level C certification from the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command. The certification of the two Lockheed Martin ATS simulators at the base will enable the Air Force to train its C-130 pilots on all tasks up to the final check flight.

"The additions and changes to the simulators couldn't have come at a better time," said Lt. Col. Gary Ardes, commander of Air Mobility Command Air Operations Squadron Detachment 3. "With the aircraft issues we currently face, we can now move more training out of the plane and into the simulator."

Simulators are categorized on a scale from A-D, the highest being a Level D. In a Level D simulator, a pilot can earn a rating without ever having to fly the aircraft. The C-130 Level C simulators are very high fidelity training devices and allow training up to a formal check ride.

"With flight restrictions and deployments in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, aircraft for training are not readily available," explained Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support Flight Solutions vice president. "This certification will allow pilots to maintain C- 130 proficiency without having to wait for aircraft they can fly. Enabling pilots to maintain their proficiency at lower cost creates a true win-win for our customer."

The Lockheed Martin C-130 ATS program provides an effective and comprehensive academic and simulation training program for C-130 weapons system aircrews and maintenance personnel. The ATS facility at Little Rock is the Department of Defense's formal C-130 training center for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard and is also utilized by more than 25 foreign countries. Lockheed Martin provides instruction in ground-based academic and simulator lessons for more than 14,000 students annually. Training includes all crew positions, refresher courses, cockpit resource management (initial and recurring), Instrument Refresher Courses, and the Instructor Preparatory Course.

Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products, and services.

For additional information, visit our website:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin