Marine Common Aircrew Trainers (MCAT)

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions was awarded a $54 million contract to provide five Marine Common Aircrew Trainers (MCATs) to the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The contract was awarded directly to Kratos under the US Navy Training Systems Contract III, LOT I, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD).

Designed to train USMC CH-53E (Super STALLION), MV-22B (OSPREY), and UH-1Y (VENOM) enlisted aircrews, the MCAT provides for a single training device that can be reconfigured for each of those platforms. Marines will use the MCAT to train in a variety of aircrew skills to support mission readiness, including aerial gunnery, external lift operations, combat scenarios, standard and emergency flight procedures, hoist operations and crew coordination in simulated day or night all-weather conditions.

Kratos will provide engineering, manufacturing, development, and initial support of the MCATs, which will be used as part of the USMC’s Aviation Training System (ATS).

“The MCAT will leverage Kratos’ years of experience developing aircrew training systems and the most comprehensive technology solution sets we have developed through our research and development efforts,” Jose Diaz, SVP, Kratos Training Solutions, said. “Advancing Aircrew Training solutions will continue to be one of our primary focuses to provide our customers with the latest technology that maximizes their training proficiency and return on investment.”

“It is extremely gratifying to see the Marine Corps place their confidence in our Training group,” Phil Carrai, President of Kratos Technology & Training Solutions, concluded. “Especially as it comes so closely on the heels of other significant training systems wins for us both in the U.S. armed services as well as our allies. Training is one of the fastest growing areas in our defence business, and that growth is coming in our specialty areas of aircrew and maintenance training, as well as other mission critical applications across the DoD. Our reputation as a team that can develop creative solutions that optimise both training performance outcomes and economic value is one of the biggest reasons.”

For more information please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #12/2016, available at the show on booth #2729; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.