In 2014, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) won the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) contract to train Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army helicopter pilots until 2025.

HATS was set up at HMAS Albatross at Nowra, New South Wales to support the Navy Fleet Air Arm 723 Squadron.

One of the most sophisticated military helicopter training systems in the world, HATS has graduated up to 130 students per year, including pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrew, mission sensor operators and qualified aircrew returning for instructor training.

The program delivers systems design, courseware development and flight training through an integrated suite of facilities and devices including:

• Airbus EC135-T2+ aircraft
• Full flight simulators
• Tactical part task trainers and desk top trainers
• Virtual Reality Trainers (VRT) and Marshalling VRT
• Aircraft Replica Trainer.

In addition to primary operator courses, HATS also delivers engineering, maintenance, supply chain, operations and program support services.

HATS achieved Final Operating Capability in March 2021.