Zen Tech, Rockwell enter military flight simulation market

Unveil rotary wing simulator at the ongoing Aero India 2015

Zen Technologies Limited, a Hyderabad-based company that develops training equipment and simulators for weapons and allied defence equipment, and US-headquartered communications and avionics firm Rockwell Collins on Thursday entered the Indian military flight simulation market by unveiling a next-generation rotary wing simulator at the ongoing Aero India 2015.

The companies entered into a memorandum of understanding in October 2014 to combine their strengths in simulation and training to offer advanced and high-fidelity aviation solutions to the Indian defence sector. 

Rockwell Collins, which has a facility near New Delhi, opened a design centre in Hyderabad in 2008.

With the rotary wing platform (helicopter simulator) launch, both companies aim to emerge, in the near future, as key partners to the Indian armed forces, Zen Technologies said in a filing to the BSE today.

The rotary wing simulator launched by Zen-Rockwell alliance is housed in an ergonomically-designed cockpit. It is configurable and addresses the flight and mission aspects of rotary wing aircraft. 

"The simulator supports anytime, anywhere training, and is an alternative for pilot training in handling routine flights, emergencies and practice missions," the company said.

"Over the next few years, the Indian defence forces will be strengthening their aircraft portfolio, both fixed and rotary wing. Moreover, there are a number of existing simulators which may need some mid-life upgrades, both in terms of technology and aircraft concurrency. Therefore, we see a very large opportunity for full-mission simulators, flight training devices and part-task trainers," said Ashok Atluri, managing director of Zen Technologies.

Zen Technologies' scrip is currently trading at Rs 63.20 on the BSE, up 6.94% over the previous close of Rs 59.10 a share.