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Coast Guard awards contract for C-27J simulator

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Air Station Sacramento C-27Js conduct a three ship formation flight over Yosemite Valley, March 2018. The simulator purchased by the Coast Guard will allow aircrew to practice emergency procedures and maneuvers that are unsafe in aircraft. Photo by Lt Scott Handlin.


The Coast Guard, on Aug. 29 awarded a $15.1 million contract to L3 Technologies Integrated Systems, to procure a C-27J Spartan operational flight trainer, ancillary devices, spare parts and documentation in support of training requirements for C-27J pilots.

The Coast Guard was able to save time and money by purchasing this flight simulator - originally produced for the U.S. Air Force - rather than having a new one built. The simulator will enable Coast Guard pilots to train safely including for maneuvers that they are unable to practice in an actual C-27J.

Prior to this acquisition, Coast Guard pilots needed to travel to Italy to complete training in the only other C-27 simulator available in the world. The Coast Guard simulator will remain at an L3 facility in Arlington, Texas, while upgrades are completed on software, image generators, screens and projectors, and the Coast Guard builds out a simulator facility at Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama.

Purchasing the flight trainer is an important step in expanding the Coast Guard C-27J program. “Having this simulator close by will allow us to quickly validate emergency procedures and flight profiles, and ensure aircrew proficiency for the Coast Guards’ newest aviation asset,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ian Hall, C-27J deputy program manager.

The new simulator is planned to be ready for service in March 2019. The Coast Guard is investigating options to make training and simulator time available to its counterparts at U.S. Special Operations Command and Australia’s Royal Air Force, who also use C-27J aircraft.

For more information: Medium Range Surveillance Aircraft program page