Lockheed Martin Partners with Rheinmetall and Thales for Innovative Training Solutions for Franco-German C-130J Squadron
Thales and Rheinmetall have been entrusted with certifying the upcoming training center organization for the Franco-German C-130J transport aircraft fleet. The two enterprises are engaged in the initiative as subcontractors (50/50) to Lockheed Martin, the primary contractor of the France/Germany Multinational Training Centre and the producer of the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
Granted in March 2021, Rheinmetall and Thales will furnish personnel and services pertinent to the validation of the training center organization. The training center accreditation is projected to be finalized in Q1 2024, with training operations set to begin in 2024. The initial establishment and validation stage may be succeeded by an optional operational phase. Should the operational phase be awarded, Thales and Rheinmetall will supply all managerial staff, certified flight and ground crew instructors, as well as maintenance personnel for the operation of all training devices.
The training center is to be established in Évreux, Normandy, the base of the French Air Force’s 62nd Transport Squadron, and will accommodate the new French and German C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as a joint transport squadron. The accompanying training center will be recognized as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), accredited by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC).
The Franco-German transport aircraft initiative is one of Europe’s essential air force programs. In Évreux, Germany and France aim to collaboratively operate a total of 10 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft commencing this year. The strategy outlines joint cockpit crews, alongside mixed teams on the ground. France has already received a total of four Super Hercules, while Germany will contribute six aircraft to the squadron, with deliveries commencing in 2022. These six aircraft will replace the German Transall C-160.
Through this initiative, Thales and Rheinmetall are perpetuating an already fruitful collaboration in the domain of Franco-German aviation training, particularly within the TATM “Tiger Aircrew Training Means”, for the German and French crews of the Tiger attack helicopter.
