FIDAE 2024 is the stage to present the latest advancements of the Sistema de Entrenamiento Integrado para Pilotos Militares (Integrated Training System for Military Pilots) PILLAN II. This ambitious project, led by the National Aeronautics Company of Chile (ENAER) along with its subsidiary DTS, was launched in 2022 after an initial order of 33 units from the Chilean Air Force (FACH).
The PILLAN II, designed to set a milestone in military aeronautical training, has successfully surpassed a crucial stage in its development: the preliminary design review. This achievement, endorsed by a specialized evaluation team from the FACH, has allowed for the precise establishment of most systems and components of the aircraft, demonstrating ENAER’s commitment and capability to meet excellence standards.
Currently, the project is in a decisive phase, the critical design review, a rigorous process that will define exhaustively the final configuration of the aircraft. This step is fundamental to ensure that the PILLAN II meets the most demanding operational expectations and requirements, consolidating its position as a cutting-edge training system in the international military sphere.
Since its active promotion initiated at FIDAE 2022 and solidified in early 2023, the PILLAN II has aroused considerable interest not only within Chile, where the Navy has shown enthusiasm for the project, but also in several Latin American countries. This interest has significantly expanded in recent months, extending to Middle Eastern nations. These countries have formally submitted requests for proposals (RFP) to ENAER, evidencing a growing global interest in the PILLAN II military pilot training solution.
With a future vision, ENAER aims to achieve a significant milestone in 2024, with the final configuration consolidation of the PILLAN II, laying the groundwork to commence prototype production in 2025-2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that seeks to expand the company’s reach towards new horizons, specifically towards emerging markets in Africa and various regions of Asia. This diversification plan not only demonstrates ENAER’s global ambition but also reflects Chile’s continuous innovation and growing international recognition in the competitive aerospace and defense sector.
The PILLAN II, following the successful legacy of the T-35 PILLAN, stands as the new emblem of the Chilean aerospace industry, showcasing the country’s unwavering commitment to advancing defense technologies and developing its role as an influential actor on the global stage. This project not only strengthens Chile’s reputation as a leader in aeronautical innovation but also underscores its ability to develop cutting-edge solutions that meet contemporary security and defense demands.
By: Francisco Rojas, Communications and Marketing Management of FIDAE 2024.
Cover image: ENAER
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