The Philippine Air Force will get a flight simulator and virtual maintenance trainer for its S-70 Black Hawk helicopters under a contract between Lockheed Martin and the Philippine Department of National Defense.
The systems will allow pilots and maintenance crews to train locally. The package includes training materials and marks the first order for Lockheed Martin’s S-70 Black Hawk training devices.
“It’s a privilege to partner with the Philippine Air Force with a suite of systems to support their training requirements as they grow their fleet of S-70 Black Hawk helicopters,” said Tim James, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions at Lockheed Martin. “This contract award is a long-term investment in the PAF’s mission readiness and reflects Lockheed Martin’s proven ability to deliver sustainment solutions across the entire operational pipeline.”
The full-motion simulator uses a digital twin, or a virtual copy of the helicopter, to reproduce the sights and sensations of flying a Black Hawk.
The virtual maintenance trainer recreates aircraft systems, including hydraulics and avionics, the electronic equipment used in flight. It allows maintenance crews practice working on these systems in a simulated environment.
“Through these advanced training systems, we effectively support the needs of its growing force and expanding Black Hawk fleet,” said William Blair, vice president and regional chief executive, Asia & India, Lockheed. “These solutions build on the PAF’s ongoing efforts to enhance training, ensuring crews and maintainers remain mission-ready, while advancing their broader modernization goals.”
The contract includes maintenance support and spare parts through August 2028. Pilots will continue training at the US-based Sikorsky Training Academy while local training capabilities are established.
The Philippines uses European-made Sikorsky Black Hawks for search and rescue, humanitarian aid, firefighting, and troop transport across the archipelago.