Rheinmetall Expands Bundeswehr Capabilities with New A400M Cargo Hold Simulators

The Luftwaffe relies on Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art simulation capabilities for training personnel operating the A400M military transport aircraft. In January 2021, the manufacturer of the A400M, Airbus, partnered with Rheinmetall Electronics to provide not just one, but two additional training simulators for the European A400M. Set for German air bases in Wunstorf and Altenstadt, the two simulators are scheduled to be delivered and operational by late 2022 or early 2023. This contract is valued in the low two-digit million-euro range.

At Wunstorf, Air Transport Squadron 62 will be equipped with an A400M Cargo Hold Part Task Trainer (CPTT), enhancing the existing suite of simulation and training systems at the A400M training center. This includes the advanced Cargo Hold Trainer Enhanced (CHT-E), utilized for the training of cargo hold crews, particularly loadmasters and ground staff.

Specially tailored for its mission, a second CPTT will be set up at the Airmobile and Air Transport School in Altenstadt, aimed at training airfreight handling staff and paratroopers. This CPTT will mark the base’s inaugural A400M simulator.

The A400M CPTT serves as a precise full-scale replica of the A400M cargo hold, complete with operator interfaces. It allows for exceptionally realistic training of cargo hold teams and ground personnel. Its versatile design accommodates mission-specific configurations of the cargo hold, enabling trainees to practice cargo preparation, loading and unloading, in-flight, and ground operations. Teams will also learn effective collaboration. This system is suitable for initial and advanced training, as well as refresher courses and mission readiness.

Complex scenarios and emergency situations can be simulated safely, as there is no requirement to utilize the actual equipment, which thus remains available for real-world missions. This comprehensive approach ensures personnel are thoroughly trained and capable of fulfilling their responsibilities. In addition to training operations, the CPTT facilitates the evaluation, testing, and qualification of procedures for new load types, thanks to its precise mimicry of the operational equipment.
This development represents an organized expansion of Rheinmetall’s range of cargo-related assets, with the CPTT enabling the customization of complete cargo training resources for various platforms.

Apart from the CPTT, Rheinmetall has provided various A400M user nations with additional cargo training tools, such as the Loadmaster Workstation Trainer (LMWST) and the aforementioned CHT-E. Officially announced, the latest order raises the total number of advanced high-fidelity Rheinmetall A400M cargo training systems to ten, ensuring a superior standard of training and instruction in the A400M cargo sector.

Rheinmetall delivered the first A400M CPTT to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in 2019. CHT-E simulators are now operational at the Airbus International Training Centre (ITC) in Seville, with the Royal Air Force at Brize Norton in the UK, the German Air Force at Wunstorf, and with a French Army airborne brigade near Toulouse. The LMWST is available at the Airbus ITC in Seville, France’s national A400M training center in Orléans, and at the Royal Air Force National Training Centre in Brize Norton.