Elbit Systems Ltd. announced the details of its flight training centre, which it will establish and operate as part of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) contract awarded in September 2012 to TOR – Advanced Flight Training, a jointly-owned company of Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. TOR was established to carry out the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) future trainer aircraft programme for the Aermacchi M3461 training aircraft.

With the introduction of the M346I trainer aircraft, more emphasis will be given to ground-based training for the IAF’s flight school cadets, combat pilots and navigators. Elbit Systems’ ground training centre will incorporate a wide variety of cuttingedge trainers and simulators while offering the experience of real flight. The cadet pilots and navigators will drill skills ranging from basic familiarity with the aircraft to the highest level of combat flight competence. In addition, Elbit Systems’ array of training aircraft simulators will enable flight school cadets to practise unusual and emergency flight procedures, and at a more advanced level, to simulate complex combat scenarios acting as solo pilots or as part of a formation. The ground-based flight training centre is expected to begin operation in mid-2014.

Elbit Systems’ Aerospace Division’s VP for Training and Simulation, Alon Afik, commented: “Once again, Elbit Systems is honored to play a part in the training of the IAF’s flight school. The selection of this array of flight trainers and simulators for the IAF’s new trainer aircraft is yet another vote of confidence in our extensive training and simulation capabilities.”

Blending combat experience with today’s innovative simulation technologies, Elbit Systems offers operational and tactical, virtual and embedded trainers and simulators to leading air forces worldwide.