97 TRS to implement state-of-the-art simulators fall 2009

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
The 97th Training Squadron will effectively bring KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator training to the 21st century when it implements the boom operator weapons system trainer (BOWST) fall 2009.

The KC-135 aircrew training center is in the process of installing and testing two BOWST simulators. Upon completion, the state-of-the-art equipment will enable the 97 TRS to improve aircrew training as well as save the Air Force millions of dollars annually.

"With the BOWST, there are 22 different kinds of airplanes that we'll be able to refuel and we'll be able to do so up to six at one time," said Senior Master Lonny Hall, 97 TRS superintendent. "In the (boom operator part-task training simulator), we are only able to train refueling on single receiver. The BOWST will help us improve our students' situational awareness and it will help them deal with multiple receivers in a simulated environment rather than doing it for the first time in the airplane."

The advancement in simulator technology has improved by leaps and bounds and the students will benefit greatly from the BOWSTs, said the sergeant.

"The biggest advantage we are going to have is the feel of the boom," he said. "The (simulators) we have right now have a very dated boom feel. This one has new control loaders and everything else that goes with that and they are able to fine tune the feel of the boom so that it is actually reacts more like the boom that's in the airplane."

The BOWSTs' large, curved screens, which simulate a three-dimensional environment, will add to the realism of the training.

"The new system is going to give us a much better simulation," said Sergeant Hall. "The computer generated models the contractor has designed are much more realistic and look more like an airplane then the one's we are currently using. Also, the system we are currently using to train the students only has the center window of the boom pod in it."

The simulation of bow wave - the redirection of the air as the receiver aircraft gets closer to the boom - is another new feature programmed into the BOWST, which will further enhance training.

The BOWST is such an efficient simulator the 97 TRS will be able to eliminate two sorties from the training syllabus and that means big savings for the Air Force, said Tech. Sgt. Shane Haney, 97 TRS subject matter expert for boom operator quality assurance.

"The immediate savings equates to approximately $180,000 or 11 flying hours per student boom operator," he said. "It will not take very long for the new simulators to pay for themselves."

At a maximum load of 10 students per class and 13 classes per year the yearly savings could be as much as $23.4 million.

However, that's before you factor in the cost of maintenance, said Sergeant Haney.

"Even though the BOWSTs will cost more to maintain than the BOPTTs, the new simulators will most likely pay for themselves in about a year," he said.

Furthermore, the BOWSTs will also boost the longevity of the KC-135s.

"Relying on the new simulators will not only save flying hours and money, but will extend the life the aircraft until the new tanker is ready," said Sergeant Haney.