The contract for the “Survival Training after a Helicopter Crash into the Water/Aircraft Ditching” Project was signed between the SSB and Meteksan Defence on November 18, 2018. 

The training is designed in a helicopter simulation which is rotated up to 180 degrees in a controlled manner in a custom-built pool for the rescue of the personnel inside the helicopter.

Meteksan Defence will provide a modern simulator designed according to international standards and OPITO criteria. Within the scope of the DUNKER Project, the simulation system consisting of crane(s), platforms and auxiliary equipment as well as the construction of the pool which is a complementary component of the system, and the building consisting of technical rooms and spaces will be provided. There will be different elements in the pool to create a realistic environment such as storms / wave simulations, lighting / dimming possibilities with adjustable light intensity. In order to simulate stormy weather, lighting, a sound system, wind effects, wave effects and rain effects will be used together or separately.

It is planned that the simulator will consist of four components where different types of training can be conducted. The components of the training that will be held independently and at different times are as follows:

Escape/Survival from a Helicopter Crash into the Water: A platform consisting of a Generic Cabin and crane, where the Helicopter Escape/Survival training is given.

Rescue Helicopter: Simulation of rescue training consisting of a platform that simulates a helicopter performing rescue operations and a crane to allow the survivor to be taken from the pool to the platform.

Parachute Descent: A platform consisting of a tower and a rail system to simulate a parachute jump where parachute descent and survival training is given. A tower, a wire sliding system and a parachute hanger system will be installed to simulate the parachute descent to allow the training of the personnel for parachute descent and survival.

Shipboard: A platform to simulate the ship and a space consisting of a rope ladder system, rope, lifeboat and throwing mechanism where abandoning training and the training to allow survivors to be taken to the shipboard are given.

Capabilities Expected to be Obtained through the Project

With the domestic design and production of the main components of the DUNKER Project such as the generic cabin, crane carrying the cabin and the rescue crane, the diversification and development of current capabilities will be achieved in areas of processing composite materials, stainless/aluminum materials; development of design to enable the required Safe Working Load (SWL) with such materials; establishing personnel lift up/down systems; integration and automation of systems.  

Training in accordance with OPITO standards which is among the training to be completed by personnel to be transferred by air to sea platforms will also be provided within the country and thus a savings will be achieved. With the launch of these simulators, the relevant training, which is currently being provided in 47 countries at 205 facilities, will begin to be offered in Turkey. This service will also be provided to NATO and other friendly-allied countries, institutions/organizations. In this way, also service exportation is expected to occur.

According to the project schedule, the finalization of the facility that will be established at Cengiz Topel Naval Air Base Command located in İzmit is expected to occur within two years.