The US Air Force Academy in Colorado, USA, has bought four flight simulator systems for US$1.7 million.
The USAF Academy (USAFA) in Colorado trains offcer cadets and runs the lead undergraduate aeronautical engineering program in the USA. It has ordered four simulators for their teaching facility from UK-based company the Merlin Flight Simulation Group.
The order includes Merlin’s new two-seat motion engineering flight simulator the MP525, for which it will be the launch customer and two desktop MP500-1 simulators for their flight simulation laboratory.
Personnel from USAFA had previously helped judge one of Merlin’s IT FLIES USA annual student aircraft design and handling competitions at The University of Dayton – which itself has an extensive flight simulation laboratory.
The company said it was through flying and understanding the capabilities of Merlin’s flight software and the overall performance of the simulators that led to this very high specification USAFA order.
Lt Col Judson Babcock, who is leading the acquisition project for the USAFA said, “Merlin’s full-motion engineering flight simulators will greatly enhance the aeronautical engineering curriculum at the Air Force Academy.
“For the first time ever, students will be able to design, fly and test their own aircraft, engines, and control systems in a motivating full-motion multi-ship simulation. This hands-on capstone experience will help us to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of technical leaders for the United States and our allies.”
