Lockheed Martin has signed a Direct Commercial Sale contract with the Philippine Department of National Defense to supply Black Hawk training systems to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), according to the company. The deal covers an S-70i Black Hawk Full Flight Simulator, a Virtual Maintenance Trainer and associated courseware.
It is the first order for Lockheed Martin’s S-70i Black Hawk training devices, and it expands the company’s training and simulation portfolio.
Building a local training capability
The PAF flies Sikorsky Black Hawks on search and rescue, humanitarian aid, firefighting and troop transport missions across the Philippine archipelago. The contract lets the service train pilots and maintainers in-country and supports Manila’s wider defence modernisation drive.
Until that capability is established, the PAF will keep sending Black Hawk pilots to the Sikorsky Training Academy in the United States.
What the systems deliver
The full flight simulator is a digital twin of the aircraft. It replicates the sights and sensations of flying the S-70i. The Virtual Maintenance Trainer uses physics-based models of every airframe subsystem, from hydraulics to avionics. Maintainers can train in an immersive environment without risk to aircraft or personnel.
The contract also includes sustainment and spares support through 2032.
Lockheed Martin says it builds a digital twin of the Black Hawk to reflect the aircraft’s current systems, components and configurations. It also uses a digital thread of the operational flight program to produce high-fidelity simulations in days rather than years, which helps training keep pace with aircraft upgrades.
Industry reaction
“This contract award is a long-term investment in the PAF’s mission readiness,” said Tim James, Vice President of Air and Commercial Solutions at Lockheed Martin. He said the company was proud to support the PAF as it grows its S-70i fleet.
William Blair, Vice President and Regional Chief Executive for Asia and India, said the systems build on the PAF’s ongoing efforts to enhance training. He added that they will keep crews and maintainers mission-ready as the force expands.
Lockheed Martin also supports training for the CH-53K, F-35, F-16 and C-130J. Its Black Hawk training devices range from desktop trainers to fully immersive virtual environments.
Learn more on Lockheed Martin’s website
