Cockpit simulation trainers for NH90 helicopters of the German Army are being upgraded by the Simulation and Training business of Rheinmetall Defense.

The upgrade ordered by Germany's defense procurement agency, BAAINBw, involves reconfiguration of the devices and the addition of software modules from Rheinmetall's Asterion product line.

Asterion modular simulation reproduces the behavior and functionality of air, land and sea weapon systems, Rheinmetall said, and can be used on various training devices -- from a full replica cockpit to a tablet PC.

The simulation training devices are for use by technical personnel in NH90 helicopter operations at the German Air Force technical training center in Fassberg.

The value of the contract has not been disclosed.

NH90 helicopters, from a subsidiary of Airbus, are medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. They have a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, a service ceiling of 20,000 feet and a range of as much as 621 miles, depending on the variant.