Showcase:
Black Hawk Aircrew Trainer

The Customer:

The U.S. Army sought a government-owned flight dynamics solution to power their state-of-the-art aircrew trainer—demanding the same fidelity, flexibility, and accuracy typically reserved for premium commercial codes, but with full ownership and control.

The Challenge:

Operating under a tight fiscal budget and an aggressive deployment schedule, the Army required a comprehensive simulation package that could:

• Accurately model complex rotary-wing dynamics

• Simulate flight controls, propulsion systems, and failure modes with high precision

• Adapt rapidly to evolving accreditation requirements

To succeed, the solution needed to support efficient, iterative development cycles—enabling swift responses to changing needs and accreditation standards.

The Solution:

1. Agile, Iterative Development Workflow

• Implemented a rapid, feedback-driven development process, enabling efficient integration of changing requirements and accreditation standards

• Delivered regular prototype updates to the client, allowing for immediate validation and course correction

2. Advanced Simulation Architecture:

• Realistic rotary-wing flight dynamics

• Detailed modeling of flight controls and propulsion systems

• Comprehensive handling of failure scenarios and edge cases

• Ensured the system remained flexible for future enhancements or new mission profiles.

3. Cost-Effective, High-Impact Delivery

• Leveraged proprietary modeling techniques and reusable components to accelerate development and reduce expenses

• Eliminated recurring third-party licensing fees, delivering a fully owned solution that maximized long-term value

4. Accreditation-Ready Design

• Maintained close alignment with accreditation criteria throughout development, ensuring all requirements were met efficiently and with minimal rework

• Enabled rapid iteration and documentation updates to support the accreditation process

The Impact:

On-Time, On-Budget Delivery: The simulation package was completed within the client’s fiscal constraints and aggressive schedule.

Accreditation Success: The solution passed all required accreditation milestones, enabling swift deployment and operational use.

Operational Flexibility: The platform’s modular design supports ongoing evolution and future mission needs.

Sustained Value: By eliminating external licensing costs and enabling rapid updates, the client achieved both immediate and long-term savings.

By eliminating per-deployment licensing fees, we reduced costs from $100,000 to zero—delivering more than $3 million in savings across the BAT fleet. Ongoing pilot feedback drives continuous model refinement, ensuring the platform evolves alongside operational demands. With the government retaining full intellectual property rights, the CRUSADER model’s success now extends across a broader range of Army applications and simulations, multiplying its value and impact throughout the organization.