ST. LOUIS, July 02, 1996 -- Naval aviation students will soon be receiving more effective jet training in an advanced digital cockpit called "Cockpit 21." The Department of the Navy recently approved the new cockpit -- developed by McDonnell Douglas -- for use in its fleet of T-45A Goshawk trainers.
The May 30 approval comes after an extensive flight evaluation of Cockpit 21 in a T-45A at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, and aboard the USS Stennis. The results of the evaluation, which began in April and ended May 27, verified the potential operational effectiveness and suitability of the cockpit, and its readiness to be incorporated into production aircraft.
"Successfully completing the operational assessment is a significant milestone for McDonnell Douglas and the Department of the Navy," said Doug Miller, vice president of the T-45 Training Systems program at McDonnell Douglas. "Not only is it the culmination of an extensive, dedicated effort by the Cockpit 21 team, it's the introduction of technology that will make naval aviation training better, faster and less expensive than ever before."
Cockpit 21 was developed to replace the T-45A's analog displays with digital displays similar to those found in the Navy's F/A-18 and other carrier-based jets. Since students transitioning to these aircraft from Cockpit 21 will have already mastered cockpit information management skills and situational awareness, they can concentrate on the primary mission of learning how to perform key tactical maneuvers. "This will cut the time and cost of learning how to fly these carrier-based jets more effectively," Miller said.
The new digital cockpit provides navigation, weapon delivery, aircraft performance and communications data through two multifunction displays in both stations of the two-seat cockpit and through a head-up display in the forward cockpit. The cockpit also includes a Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Assembly and a multiplex data bus that will allow expansion of cockpit capabilities to accommodate changing training requirements.
According to Miller, incorporating Cockpit 21 into production T-45As has begun with aircraft No. 84, scheduled to be delivered in October 1997. The Navy also is considering retrofitting Cockpit 21 into its earlier analog-configured Goshawks. McDonnell Douglas has delivered 66 Goshawks to date from a total order of 174 aircraft. Production is scheduled through at least 2004.
The T-45A is part of the T-45 Training System (T45TS), designed for the Department of the Navy to reduce the time and cost of training pilots to fly its carrier-based jets. It includes an integrated state-of-the-art ground training system consisting of electronic classrooms, computer-assisted instruction and high-fidelity simulators.
Navy estimates show that the T45TS has provided an 18 percent reduction in flight hours required for effective training. The service began using the system in 1994 and plans to continue to use it through at least 2025.
McDonnell Douglas is responsible for the development and integration of the total training system, as well as for producing the forward fuselage and performing final assembly, ramp and flight testing of the T-45A. Principal subcontractors include British Aerospace for aircraft components; Hughes Training Inc. for ground-based simulators; and Smiths Industries for Cockpit 21's processors and software.
Cockpit 21 is included in the McDonnell Douglas tender to the Royal Australian Air Force for its Lead-In Fighter competition. The RAAF is looking for an effective, low cost system to prepare pilots to fly its F/A-18 and F-111 jets.
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