Britain's Ministry of Defense reports it is investing $122.6 million for equipment and support in training Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter crew.

About $78.1 million of the funding will go to Lockheed Martin UK to support training on Chinook Mk 6 aircraft, with the balance going to AgustaWestland for supply of synthetic training devices for Merlin Mk 4/4a helicopters.

"We are providing our armed forces with one of the most capable and technologically advanced helicopter fleets in the world, and to complement this, it is essential that we also provide them with very best and latest training," Minister of State for Defense Procurement Philip Dunne said. "Alongside essential flying experience, these world-class simulators will play a vital role in ensuring our people are capable, competent and ready to deploy on operations around the globe."

The 12-year contract awarded Lockheed Martin UK includes two years for the design and production of the training equipment, the building of a training facility, and 10 years of training support services.

The training facility will be located at RAF Odiham in Hampshire, the home of the Chinook fleet.

"This new, purpose built facility will use the very latest technology and simulators to replicate real-life operational scenarios and ensure RAF Chinook pilots and crew are trained to the highest standard," said Lockheed Martin UK Chief Executive Stephen Ball. "Lockheed Martin already has a proven track record in delivering effective training solutions to both civilian and military customers and we look forward to developing our relationship with RAF Odiham and the Chinook fleet."

The contract to AgustaWestland for training equipment for Royal Navy Merlin helicopter pilots and rear crews will involve the use of new simulators at the main base for the aircraft, RNAS Yeovilton, in Somerset, the Ministry of Defense said.

AgustaWestland, as part of the contract, has chosen simulator specialist CAE of Canada to supply two flight training devices, a flight navigation procedures trainer and a rear crew trainer.

Additional details of the AgustaWestland award were not disclosed.

The Ministry of Defense said the introduction and use of the simulation trainers under the contracts to Lockheed Martin UK and AgustaWestland will result in the creation of about 130 jobs, including those for building the training center at RAF Odiham.

"Simulation is a solution that, when blended with live flying events, provides the optimum individual and team-level training," said Air Vice-Marshal Julian Young, director, Helicopters, at the MOD's Defense Equipment and Support organization. "Simulation is a solution that, when blended with live flying events, provides the optimum individual and team-level training.

"Although it can never replace live training fully, being able to create a wide variety of training scenarios and operating settings can provide a more challenging, safer and controllable environment to help our forces practice in a way that is essential to effective mission preparation."