Revolutionizing Military Training: Rheinmetall Unveils Cutting-Edge AR Systems and Simulation Rigs for A400M Maintenance for the Bundeswehr
The German Air Force has once more enlisted Rheinmetall’s expertise in simulation and training to instruct its personnel on the A400M military transport aircraft. In December 2021, Rheinmetall secured the contract from Germany’s Federal Agency for Bundeswehr Equipment Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for state-of-the-art training rigs and augmented reality (AR) systems aimed at training maintenance and repair staff for the A400M. The contract is valued in the low two-digit millions of euros.
The current strategy involves outfitting the Technical Training Centre of the German Air Force’s Department North at Wunstorf Air Base with multiple high-fidelity training rigs, featuring an AR capability. Custom-developed for this purpose, these systems will facilitate efficient, highly realistic training for maintenance and repair personnel without deploying the actual aircraft. Consequently, training operations will not detrimentally impact the availability and readiness of Germany’s A400M fleet.
By integrating the training rig with additional AR features, the concept designed by Rheinmetall Electronics allows for a thorough, unified training methodology that covers all relevant maintenance protocols, including every work step. It is also feasible to operate the training rigs independently of the AR system.
The training rigs are accurate replicas of various components of the A400M aircraft. Thanks to an integrated framework comprising the training rigs and supplementary AR system, maintenance personnel can rehearse maintenance procedures as if they were working on a genuine aircraft. This includes pre- and post-operational tasks in and around the aircraft, along with actual mechanical operations. The AR system can illustrate activities that cannot be performed on the training rig, enhancing overall understanding in each training scenario while simultaneously contextualizing the tasks carried out on the individual rigs.
Instruction conducted with the training rigs meets certification standards in accordance with DEMAR, Germany’s military airworthiness regulations.
This training framework for the A400M platform is a pioneering model in modern training for maintenance personnel, paving the way not just for the Bundeswehr but also for the military of other A400M-operating nations. Additionally, this concept can be customized for use with various other platforms.
In a strategic expansion of the Group’s extensive A400M Rear Crew Training product line, the training rigs and AR system significantly enhance the range of Rheinmetall training resources.
Along with the training rigs and AR technology, Rheinmetall also provides additional cargo training devices to different A400M user nations. These include the A400M Cargo Hold Part Task Trainer (CPTT), various enhanced Cargo Hold Trainer (CHT-E) systems, as well as the Load Master Working Station Trainer (LMWST).
