Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced the award of a U.S. Army contract worth $12.5 million to a team that includes Binghamton Simulator Company (BSC).  The program, Non-rated Crew Member Manned Module (NCM3), will produce a mobile and transportable virtual simulation training system designed to provide the capability to conduct realistic and high intensity training exercises and mission rehearsals for Army helicopter aircrew personnel.   

"The Binghamton Simulator Company has been an innovator and employer in downtown Binghamton for 20 years and this Army contract will enable this well-established business to expand its work on behalf of the men and women in our armed forces," Hinchey said.  "This award will help sustain 42 current employees while creating 10 high-tech jobs.  It also positions BSC to nearly double its workforce over the next several years.  I am proud to represent the Southern Tier, the birthplace of flight simulation, and the hundreds of constituents who are employed by this regional industry cluster."

Hinchey, who is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, recently met with BSC leadership and toured the Court Street facility in November.  The congressman's office was in contact with the Army in support of BSC throughout last year before the contract award was made on January 27, 2010.

"I will continue my work through the Modeling and Simulation Caucus and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure that the key technologies that are developed by BSC and other companies throughout the Southern Tier are recognized by the federal government," Hinchey said. "Our region is poised to benefit from the increased demand for modeling and simulation devices."

The NCM3 trainers will enable the integration of functional crew station positions for UH-60 and CH-47 Army helicopters. The NCM3 will provide a safe, cost-effective means for training individual rear aircrew members and their collective tasks associated with door gunnery, hoist operations and an array of additional functions. The utilization of these trainers will increase the proficiency and preparedness of the U.S. Army UH-60 and CH-47 helicopter community and significantly reduce costs by reducing the number of actual helicopter flight training hours, fuel and ammunition.  By reducing the amount of fuel being used and the lead and phosphorus from ammunition, the NCM3 will be an environmentally friendly trainer.

The total dollar amount for the initial NCM3 contract is valued at $12.5 million.  BSC, which is teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), will receive approximately $4.5 million.  There is the potential for up to 21 additional NCM3 devices to be procured over the next several years.