The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) today announced the successful delivery and commissioning of a Cargo Compartment Trainer (CCT) for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley.
DMO’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Warren King congratulated the AIR 8000 team and said the CCT is a working facsimile of a RAAF C-17A Globemaster’s interior.
“The CCT, which has been delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, consists of a 26.82m long by 5.49m wide cargo bay, with functioning loading ramp, Loadmaster’s station and other cargo systems found on the real aircraft,” Mr King said.
“Much like the real C-17A, the CCT can accommodate payloads ranging from 18 pallets of cargo to helicopters and an M1A1 Abrams tank.
“Importantly it can also be used in training scenarios for specialised roles such as aero-medical evacuation and humanitarian relief.”
Mr King said the significance of the CCT entering service is that it releases the fleet of six C-17A’s from some of the training tasks they previously conducted, increasing their availability for operational tasks.
“In recent weeks, the RAAF C-17A Globemaster has played a critical role in the redeployment of equipment from Afghanistan and supporting Operation PHILIPPINES ASSIST,” Mr King said.
“The CCT will train a generation of Defence personnel who will continue to use the C-17A to improve the wellbeing of others within the region.”
Mr King said the CCT will also be employed for trials and engineering assessments when developing cargo carrying techniques for the C-17A.
“Conducting engineering assessments on the CCT and away from the real aircraft will effectively allow us to more easily clear loads for carriage,” Mr King said.
“The successful acquisition of the CCT has been further assisted by US and Australian agencies, in particular the United States Air Force, Boeing, and Safety Training Systems.
“Sustainment of the CCT will be provided through L-3 Communications who will provide continued training for RAAF C-17A personnel.”