AFI KLM E&M and Exail Deliver Operational E-3F AWACS Full Flight Simulator to French Air Force

France – Aviation maintenance and engineering provider Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and French simulation manufacturer Exail have delivered a new E-3F AWACS Full Flight Simulator (FFS) to France's Direction générale de l'armement (DGA). Announced on October 29, 2026, the simulator is now operational for the French Air and Space Force, supporting initial qualification and recurrent training for crews of the E-3F airborne early warning and control aircraft.

• The simulator supports an intensive six-week initial qualification course for E-3F aircrews, allowing trainees to familiarise themselves with the aircraft's cockpit, handling characteristics and systems before their first aircraft flight.
• Exail delivered the device to the French Air and Space Force in September 2026, ahead of the October announcement confirming its operational availability. It will support pilots, navigators and flight engineers assigned to the 36th Airborne Command and Control Wing (36e EC2A).
• The simulator was ordered by the DGA under the comprehensive E-3F AWACS fleet support contract awarded to AFI KLM E&M. The maintenance and engineering provider managed the overall project as prime contractor, while Exail was responsible for the simulator's design, development and manufacture at its Lannion facility.
• The system supports recurrent training involving abnormal and emergency flight conditions that cannot safely be reproduced in the aircraft. The French Air and Space Force identified scenarios including simultaneous failure of two engines, Dutch roll recovery and complete electrical failure.
• According to the DGA, the simulator will contribute to sustaining the French E-3F AWACS fleet through 2035. Its availability is also intended to reduce reliance on actual aircraft flying hours for training and support the operational readiness of crews assigned to overseas missions and permanent alert duties.
• AFM previously reported that Exail unveiled the E-3F AWACS Full Flight Simulator in June 2026, following earlier reporting in January that the device was nearing completion. The October announcement confirms the subsequent delivery and operational introduction of the previously announced simulator.
• The Full Flight Simulator reproduces the E-3F's flight dynamics, aircraft systems and flight profiles. Developed with a six-axis motion system and an extended high-resolution visual display, the device provides a three-dimensional cockpit simulation environment for initial and recurrent training.

Statements

• “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," said Béranger Sénéchal, General Manager, Military Product at AFI KLM E&M.
• “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,” said Charles Le Bot, Managing Director of Simulation Activities at Exail.

About AFI KLM E&M
Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is an aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul provider supporting commercial and military aircraft fleets, with operations associated with Air France-KLM in France and the Netherlands. The organisation employs more than 13,000 personnel and reports providing technical support for approximately 3,000 aircraft operated by 200 airlines.

About Exail
Exail is a French industrial technology group specialising in robotics, navigation, aerospace, photonics and simulation systems for civil and military applications. Formed through the combination of ECA Group and iXblue in 2022, the company employs more than 2,200 people and operates in over 80 countries.

Source: AFI KLM E&M