INDRA DEVELOPES SPANISH ARMY HELICOPTERS SIMULATION CENTER

The Helicopter Simulation Center (CESIHEL) is one of the backbones of the Aviation Academy of the Spanish Army (ACAVIET) where pilots and mechanics of the Spanish Army Air Force are trained. Developed with Indra, it is one of the most advanced simulation centers in Europe, especially in joint tactical training of crews.

The simulation center comprises flight simulators (FFS) and helicopter trainers for the CH-47D Chinook, AS532 Cougar, EC135 and EC665 Tiger, located at two different bases: Colmenar Viejo, with six simulators, and Almagro, where two simulators of the Tiger helicopter are located. All of them have been developed with Indra technology.

In 2019, two simulators of the new NH90 helicopter, also developed by Indra, will enter service at the Agoncillo Base. With this, the network of simulators connected for joint training will reach the milestone of ten devices.

CESIHEL is a leading center thanks to the combination of top-level instructors and extensive experience in international deployments operating in the most hostile environments, the excellence of the training programs for the different courses, ranging from the initial type certification in the helicopter to the most complex tactical training, and finally, the level of the simulator technology, especially in terms of their capacity to provide network operated joint training.

The ability to provide advance joint tactical training in a network, with different platforms and from different sites, makes of this center a reference in Europe. It also makes it possible to train in the most complex and high-risk missions, with a high degree of realism, in all kinds of scenarios, with multiple threats and in all types of weather conditions (the operations with night vision goggles, NVG, are one of the Center’s specialties). CESIHEL has several scenarios, both in the national territory as well as areas of operation abroad, areas of importance for national defense (international deployments, possible conflict zones). These capabilities have been used to train crews prior to FAMET deployments, such as those conducted in Afghanistan.

Through a partnership agreement with the Army, Indra provides maintenance and improvement services for the simulators. In return, the Army allows the use of the facility, whenever available, for Indra to provide training services to other clients. Therefore, several Armed Forces perform their training at CESIHEL. Pilots from different country worldwide.

It is a magnificent example of public-private collaboration between Armed Forces and industry, and this collaboration increases the prestige of CESIHEL while significantly reducing costs for the Army.