Indra’s new NH90 helicopter simulator now trains the pilots of the Spanish Air and Space Force

Indra has implemented the most advanced version of its NH90 simulator at the Cuatro Vientos Air and Space Force base. This is a system that offers an exceptional degree of realism and huge capacity to interoperate with other simulators, thus facilitating joint training sessions and the preparation of missions of the utmost complexity.

This is the third simulator (FMS, Full Mission Simulator) of its kind developed by Indra for the Spanish Armed Forces. It’s based on the same configuration as the two simulators it has previously delivered to the Army; these are currently in operation at the Helicopter Simulation Center (CESIHEL) of the Army Aviation Academy (ACAVIET) at the Agoncillo base in La Rioja, although they have been updated with the latest technological advances. 

This new simulator, which has been developed through a contract managed by the NH90 Program Office (Rotary Wing Systems Directorate) of the SDG Programs of the DGAM, once again relies on the use of the aircraft’s avionics equipment to faithfully replicate the cockpit and ensure that the pilots become familiar with the actual navigation and mission equipment; in particular, it enables the crew to train with the mission helmet and night vision equipment, providing a high degree of realism. This is a feature that sets apart Indra’s systems and facilitates the evolution of the simulator in parallel to any improvements that may be made to the aircraft in the future.

Moreover, the simulator has an improved visual system that replicates the scenarios in which the pilots fly even more faithfully. Its database also incorporates new scenarios enabling the Air and Space Force pilots to train for maritime rescue operations, responses to natural disasters and landings and take-offs at the bases and in the zones where they regularly operate, as well as areas of operation during international missions.

This third NH90 simulator developed by Indra will be evaluated in accordance with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations to demonstrate that it guarantees a performance equivalent to that of an FFS level D simulator, the highest possible level of accuracy and realism according to the European CS-FSTD(H) specifications, which the two previous NH90 simulators currently incorporate.

José María Tapia, Indra’s Head of Simulation Programs, explained that “the simulator provides great capacity to interoperate with other simulators, as it can connect through the HLA architecture standard to facilitate joint training sessions with other bases and, in particular, the two NH90 simulators at Agoncillo. This is equivalent to having a real “virtual maneuvering field” in which highly complex operations can be prepared and repeated as many times as necessary until the desired degree of coordination and accuracy is achieved”.

Practicing risky maneuvers, responding to emergency situations such as engine and tail rotor failures, and preparing to fly in conflict zones are just some of the benefits of these systems. Simulators have therefore become an indispensable tool for any modern army. The fidelity of Indra’s systems also reduces the flight hours required to train pilots in real aircraft by up to 40%, significantly speeding up their training.

At the forefront of simulator development 

Indra has delivered more than 200 simulators to over fifty customers in 23 countries. It also leads the world in helicopter simulation, due to the number of different platforms for which it has developed training systems. With this new delivery, it will further enhance its standing as a manufacturer of the NH90 simulator, a highly complex platform due to its very advanced systems, with which a dozen armies now operate. 

In addition to eliminating risks for pilots and aircraft, Indra’s Full Mission Simulator eliminates huge operating costs, reduces maintenance work by over 33% and prevents unnecessary CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.