AFI KLM E&M and Exail deliver new E-3F AWACS flight simulator

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M), prime contractor for the comprehensive support of the French E-3F AWACS fleet, and its industrial partner Exail, announced the official delivery of a new Full Flight Simulator (FFS) to the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA). Designed, developed and assembled at Exail’s site in Lannion, the simulator is now operational for the benefit of the French Air and Space Force. (PHOTO: Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance) Ordered by the DGA under the comprehensive AWACS fleet support contract awarded to AFI KLM E&M, the new simulator represents a major milestone in sustaining France’s airborne early warning and control capabilities over the long term. It is intended for crews of the 36th Airborne Command and Control Wing (36e EC2A), providing both initial qualification training for pilots, navigators and flight engineers, as well as recurrent training to maintain their operational proficiency and readiness. By faithfully replicating the flight dynamics, systems and profiles of the E-3F AWACS, the simulator provides a realistic and demanding training environment. Equipped with a 6-axis motion system and an extended high-resolution visual display, it supports the training curriculum and enables aircrews to develop and maintain their operational skills. The simulator also helps optimize flight hours on actual aircraft while supporting the responsiveness and readiness of the French Air and Space Force, including for overseas operations and the maintenance of permanent alert postures. The project highlights the close collaboration between the DGA, the French Air and Space Force (FASF), AFI KLM E&M and Exail. As prime contractor for the comprehensive support of the French E-3F AWACS fleet, AFI KLM E&M managed the overall project, while Exail mobilized its technological expertise to engineer and deliver the simulation solution at its Lannion site. François, E-3F AWACS Program Director at DGA, said: “The delivery of this AWACS simulator demonstrates our ability to turn a challenge into a strategic opportunity for our forces. The success of this project, which the DGA is leading as the contracting authority, is a testament to the excellent collaboration between Exail, AFI KLM E&M, and the Ministry of the Armed Forces. We are therefore now looking at an indispensable tool that the DGA has delivered to the Air and Space Force to help keep the AWACS aircraft flying through 2035.” Stephen, Chief of the Fleet Office of the Assault and Projection Air Brigade (BAAP) at the FASF, said: “In September 2026, the French company Exail delivered its first state-of-the-art three-dimensional flight training device to the French Air and Space Force. This simulator is a key component of the initial qualification and recurrent training of our E-3F flight crews. Its realistic representation of the E-3F cockpit and flight characteristics enables trainees to progressively master their aircraft during an intensive six-week course, as if they were flying the real aircraft. As a result, the first actual flight unfolds just as it did in the simulator. Furthermore, the accurate modelling of all aircraft systems provides a major asset for recurrent crew training, particularly in managing high-stress situations that cannot be safely practiced in flight, such as the failure of two of the four engines, Dutch roll recovery, or a complete electrical failure. In conclusion, this new E-3F simulator is a cutting-edge training asset that contributes to the excellence of our E-3F flight crews. Last but not least, it offers a sovereign solution readily accessible not far from their home base”. Béranger Sénéchal, General Manager, Military Product at AFI KLM E&M, said: “This delivery reflects our strong commitment alongside the DGA and the French Air and Space Force, with whom we share a long-standing, trusted partnership for AWACS fleet support. As prime contractor, our mission is to provide the armed forces with the technical capabilities that support the availability and operational effectiveness of their aircraft. Through our close collaboration with Exail and the guidance of the DGA, we are pleased to deliver a simulator tailored to the initial training and operational proficiency needs of E-3F aircrews.” Charles Le Bot, Managing Director of Simulation Activities at Exail, added: “With this delivery, Exail confirms its capability to engineer and deploy turnkey, high-fidelity full flight simulators for strategic defense programs. Alongside AFI KLM E&M and the DGA, we provide the physical and operational realism required before taking off on critical missions.” EPCOR and Airbus Defence and Space expand MRTT partnership (PHOTO: Via EPCOR) EPCOR, part of Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M), and Airbus Defence and Space have reached a new agreement for Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) maintenance support for the worldwide Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) fleet operated by Airbus Defence and Space customers. The agreement extends the existing collaboration with AFI KLM E&M, which already includes engine and component maintenance. The A330 MRTT supports a range of military operations worldwide, where aircraft availability and operational readiness are essential. EPCOR will contribute its specialized APU maintenance capabilities to help Airbus Defence and Space meet the maintenance requirements of its international customer base. The agreement brings additional expertise into an established relationship, combining EPCOR’s APU capabilities with the broader MRO experience of AFI KLM E&M. Felipe Steinmetz, Vice President of Procurement Services at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “We have developed a strong working relationship with AFI KLM E&M across several areas of aircraft maintenance. Bringing EPCOR into this cooperation allows us to build on that experience and further strengthen the support we provide to our A330 MRTT customers. Having partners who understand our operational requirements is important to us.” Rob van de Graaf, Commercial Director at EPCOR, commented: “Supporting the A330 MRTT fleet is an important opportunity for EPCOR to apply our APU maintenance expertise in a different operational environment. We understand the importance of reliable maintenance support for aircraft performing critical missions and look forward to contributing our capabilities to the continued cooperation with Airbus Defence and Space.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]