First F-35 Pilot Readiness Center Launched Outside the U.S.


Located in The Netherlands, the center will provide services including helmet fitting, calibration, centrifuge, flight simulators and altitude chamber training for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and its international customers By DA Staff / 22 Jul 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

Collins Aerospace and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) have established the world’s first F-35 Pilot Readiness Center outside of the United States. The new Pilot Readiness Center is located at the RNLAF’s Center for Man in Aviation based at Soesterberg, The Netherlands.

The dedicated in-region center will provide the RNLAF and international customers with the tools and support to maintain and improve fleet and pilot readiness, including helmet fitting, calibration, centrifuge, flight simulators and altitude chamber training.

“As F-35 fleets continue to grow across the globe, in-region support to assure mission readiness is an absolute necessity”, said Lisa Steffen, vice president and general manager, Avionics Service and Support for Collins Aerospace. 

“Helmet fitting coupled with extensive training provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into physiological dynamics that will drive innovation and ultimately will bring benefits for the entire F-35 community.”

The centre will support the ten F-35s that are in active service with the RNLAF, and is expected to reach operating capability later this year.

“The Royal Netherlands Air Force has a long history of providing pilot training excellence for Air Forces around the world,” said Lieutenant General J.D. Luyt, commander of the RNLAF.

“The F-35 Pilot Readiness Center is a natural evolution of our state-of-the-art facilities in the Netherlands, ready to support the 5th generation warfighter for its recurring training, helmet fitting and calibration needs.”  

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

New 3D Radar System Launched with AI-Powered Drone Detection

Terma has introduced SCANTER Sphera, a compact 3D radar system with AI-driven drone detection and full 360° situational awareness

May 23, 2025
Triad RF Systems Certified to Global Quality Standard ISO 9001:2015

Triad RF Systems has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and delivering reliable RF solutions worldwide

May 23, 2025
LiDAR’s Evolving Role in Security & Surveillance

Inertial Labs outlines how LiDAR, including UAV-mounted systems like RESEPI GEN-II, enhances perimeter security through precise mapping, environmental awareness, and real-time monitoring

May 23, 2025
Gyro Stabilization Solutions for Tactical Military Systems

Defense Advancement showcases high-precision gyro stabilization mounts for mission-critical military and defense applications

May 23, 2025
AI-Powered Mission Planning & Target Recognition Software Selected for Long-Range Loitering Munitions

Teledyne FLIR OEM's Prism Supervisor and Prism SKR software is being integrated into Dragoon Technology's UAS under the DIU's Project Artemis

May 22, 2025
GA-ASI Begins Ground Testing of Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft

GA-ASI has begun ground testing of its YFQ-42A uncrewed jet for the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program, targeting a summer 2025 first flight as part of next-generation combat aviation efforts

May 22, 2025

Featured Content

New Hybrid Solution for Long-Term GNSS-Denied Navigation

Advanced Navigation has demonstrated a major breakthrough with a Hybrid Navigation System designed for GPS-denied environments, combining a strategic-grade FOG INS with a laser velocity sensor

May 21, 2025
New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.