Page 70 - Combat Aircraft (January 2020)

UNIT REPORT // TRAINING WING ONE

are already on a replacement requirement
that will likely kick off in the early 2030s.
Interestingly, since the C-2 Greyhound
is being retired in favor of the Bell-
Boeing CMV-22 Osprey in the carrier
on-board delivery (COD) role, it is
forecast that there will be slightly less
demand for the Goshawk’s services in
the 2020s. Additionally, with the advent
of technology such as Magic Carpet
in the Super Hornet/Growler as well
as the Delta Flight Path in the F-35C,
the carrier qualification (CQ) phase of
training is likely to be adjusted. There are
already considerations to reduce the CQ
requirements for fleet F-35 and Super
Hornet pilots, and this will probably have
an effect on the training community.
The T-45C lacks fly-by-wire controls
and therefore cannot be upgraded with
an equivalent flight control system that
mirrors that of the fleet fighters. However,
the strategic approach to this complex
training is to be re-evaluated and it will
feed heavily into the T-45 replacement Left top to bottom:
project in the longer term. The US Navy has
CQ accounts for roughly a third of the initiated a number
entire T-45C syllabus and there is scope of programs
designed to retain
to employ new technology to train new experience in its
naval aviators more efficiently. Mungas ranks.
says, ‘TRAWING ONE will continue to The T-45C has
look at ways to improve training and received fixes
instruction via increased efficiency as for the oxygen
well as implementing new technology flow issues that
caused major
like augmented reality and virtual reality.’ problems in 2017,
There is a clear recognition that there a back-up system
are opportunities for improvement even now being fitted.
when success is prevalent — and there’s The T-45C is
a strong expectation that student and set to remain in
instructor training will continue to evolve service for many
more years, with
over the remaining life of the T-45C. a replacement
project not slated
to start until
early in the next
decade.
Right top to
bottom:
Getting
airborne from
Meridian. Carrier
qualifications
form a significant
portion of the
training course
on the T-45,
and the navy is
looking to simplify
this through
technology in the
future.
T-45C BuNo
165598/101
in its special
markings for the
commander of
TRAWING ONE.
US Navy

70 January 2020 // www.Key.Aero

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