Maryland-based ARINC Engineering Services has joined with FlightSafety International Simulation to design and build the new weapons systems trainer for the latest U.S. special forces-configured C-130 on the $14.1 million Air Force contract.

As a systems subcontractor, ARINC will develop software and hardware subsystems for the new training system. The trainer will eventually be installed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, home of the 27th Special Operations Wing of the Air Force Special Operations Command.

The U.S. Air Force MC-130W Combat Spear, a modified Hercules, provides in-flight refueling for special forces helicopters and carries its own suite of advanced weapons, guidance, countermeasure and communications systems; the unique systems require an aircraft-specific trainer.

“ARINC is now proud to join with FlightSafety International Simulation in producing this vital new Weapons System Trainer for the Special Operations Forces,” said Gary Jensen, ARINC’s director of systems readiness engineering. “Our experience on the Combat Spear avionics and airframe conversions means we can hit the ground running on this trainer project.”

Twelve existing C-130H2 airframes were recently upgraded to MC-130W configuration as part of Air Force’s Combat Loss Replacement program; ARINC provided lead systems integration engineering as a subcontractor to FlightSafety on that project.

“FlightSafety has partnered successfully with ARINC in the past to develop a Weapon System Trainer for the HC-130P aircraft,” said Bert Sawyer, business development manager for Oklahoma-headquartered FlightSafety. “We’re confident in ARINC’s capabilities, and as a team we fully expect to meet and exceed all the Air Force’s expectations.”