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Mako HEAT - Tailor-made for advanced pilot training

Le Bourget, 01 June 2003

Multinational pilot training requires a sound concept that incorporates all training facilities from the computer-aided training program right up to cockpit trainers and simulators. A suitable training aircraft plays a critical role in this. With the Mako HEAT (High Energy Advanced Trainer), EADS Military Aircraft offers an aircraft that satisfies future requirements for pilot training. An integrated training system for European air forces set up with Mako HEAT as a training aircraft will result in more efficient training and - in relation to the overall training per pilot - will also be competitive when it comes to costs.

“We are fully convinced that Mako HEAT is the competitive concept to guarantee an efficient and cost-effective future fighter pilot training”, says Aloysius Rauen, CEO of EADS Military Aircraft. “If the findings of the Eurotraining feasibility study will be in favor of the Mako HEAT concept, we will rapidly enter contract negotiations with customers and potential partners to launch the full-scale development phase.”

Mako HEAT, together with Mako LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) as part of a family concept, can raise the ‘train as you fight’ approach to a hitherto unattained level. In his training on the Mako HEAT, the student pilot is prepared step-by-step for the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) training. The training aircraft is tailor-made for advanced and fighter-lead-in training. By the time the pilot then undertakes training on a special model when back at his unit, he is basically familiar with a modern combat aircraft. Mako HEAT is also suitable as a “companion trainer”. It offers air forces first-class training conditions and ensures training opportunities even when flying units are relocated.

The flight characteristics are very similar to those of a next-generation combat aircraft. Mako HEAT is a single-engine high-performance aircraft with afterburner. It is agile and maneuverable up to a 45° angle of attack, its specific excess power (SEP) compares well with the new fighter generation. The aircraft is equipped with the latest avionics, a digital flight control system and good handling characteristics. The cockpit is up-to-date with HOTAS functions and a short side-stick. There are three large-format multifunctional displays. Mako likewise incorporates the latest generation of technologies - e.g. helmetmounted displays. “Embedded training” including a virtual radar and the simulation of ‘live’ weapons release is available as an option. Due to the family concept - airframe and propulsion system are identical - and an open avionics architecture, Mako HEAT can be adapted to cope with further mission tasks in the future. Full mission capability is ensured by its high fuel capacity.

With the GE F414M, a modern high-performance engine has been selected for the definition phase. For Mako HEAT the proven and reliable propulsion system has been throttled down to 75 kN. This extends the life cycle and cuts aircraft maintenance costs. A further deciding factor is that due to its high SEP (specific excess power), especially in the transonic range, Mako can handle a wide range of missions that could otherwise only be practiced with operational aircraft in the units. The supersonic capability is not a design criterion in itself, but a by-product of this high SEP.

Mako HEAT is not only extremely efficient - and thus in a position to convey more demanding training content - it is also attractive with regard to the cost/efficiency ratio. When it comes to overall training costs there is a whole string of reasons for this: the highly stress resistant aircraft structure and the throttled back engine that does not run at “full speed” guarantee an extremely long life cycle and low servicing costs. The number of cost-intensive training hours on operational aircraft can be reduced because the training content of earlier training phases can be executed with Mako HEAT. If one imagines the step-by-step training concept as a staircase, flying hours are, in effect, downloaded from the OCU. And finally the concept opens up possibilities for participation of industrial partners - and thus can be seen as a true multinational approach.

EADS is a global aerospace and defence company and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues, having achieved EUR 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. It’s family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia.

Your contact:

EADS Military Aircraft
Wolfram Wolff
Tel: +49 (0)89 607-25711
Fax: +49 (0)89 607-22455
E-mail: wolfram.wolff@m.eads.net