Aviation & Aerospace · head to head
Collins Aerospace Systems vs Lockheed Martin Prepar3D

Collins Aerospace Systems
Aviation & Aerospace
Advanced aerospace technology and systems leader
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
Aviation & Aerospace
Professional-grade flight simulation and training platform
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Collins Aerospace Systems covers Flight control systems, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Collins Aerospace Systems and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D actually diverge.
| Attribute | Collins Aerospace Systems | Lockheed Martin Prepar3D |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $9.99/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Hardware, Embedded, Connectivity | Windows, Vr |
| Founded | 1919 | 2010 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation & Aerospace).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Collins Aerospace Systems
- Flight control systems
- Avionics
- Cabin systems
- In-flight connectivity
- Maintenance support
- Aircraft OEMs
- Airlines
- MRO facilities
Only in Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- Flight simulation
- Aircraft systems
- Realistic physics
- Training scenarios
- Performance analysis
- Hardware controllers
- VR systems
- Motion platforms
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Collins Aerospace Systems
- Aircraft systemsnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- Cabin connectivitynot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- Maintenance supportnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- Aftermarket servicesnot Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- Pilot trainingnot Collins Aerospace Systems
- Type rating trainingnot Collins Aerospace Systems
- Proficiency maintenancenot Collins Aerospace Systems
- Scenario trainingnot Collins Aerospace Systems
- Aircraft developmentnot Collins Aerospace Systems
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Collins Aerospace Systems
Nothing recorded yet. See the Collins Aerospace Systems review.
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
- High system resource requirements with 85 GB base installation and 32 GB RAM recommended
- Expensive Professional and Professional Plus licenses for commercial and business use
- Limited backward compatibility with older 32-bit aircraft modules
- SimDirector scenario creation tool requires programming knowledge for advanced customization
Pricing, plan by plan
Collins Aerospace Systems
On request- Aerospace SystemsFree
- Avionics
- Flight controls
- Cabin systems
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
$9.99/month- Standard$9.99/month
- Flight simulation
- Basic aircraft
- Training tools
- Professional$99.99/month
- Advanced simulation
- Full aircraft systems
- Advanced training
Which should you pick?
Choose Collins Aerospace Systems if
- You need flight control systems.
- You work on Hardware, Embedded, Connectivity.
- You also want avionics.
Choose Lockheed Martin Prepar3D if
- You need flight simulation.
- You work on Windows, Vr.
- You also want aircraft systems.
Questions people ask
- Is Collins Aerospace Systems or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D better?
- Neither clearly leads. Collins Aerospace Systems starts at On request and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Collins Aerospace Systems or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D?
- Collins Aerospace Systems starts at On request and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D at $9.99/month.
- Does Collins Aerospace Systems or Lockheed Martin Prepar3D run on more platforms?
- Collins Aerospace Systems runs on Hardware, Embedded, Connectivity. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D runs on Windows, Vr.
- What is Collins Aerospace Systems best used for?
- Collins Aerospace Systems is most often used for aircraft systems, cabin connectivity, maintenance support, aftermarket services. Of those, aircraft systems and cabin connectivity are not what Lockheed Martin Prepar3D is typically brought in for.
- What can Collins Aerospace Systems do that Lockheed Martin Prepar3D cannot?
- Collins Aerospace Systems covers Flight control systems, Avionics, Cabin systems, In-flight connectivity. Lockheed Martin Prepar3D covers Flight simulation, Aircraft systems, Realistic physics, Training scenarios.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Lockheed Martin Prepar3D: What are the license options for Prepar3D?
Prepar3D offers three license tiers: Personal ($59.95) for personal training and K-12 education, Professional ($350) for professional pilot training and commercial uses, and Professional Plus ($2,750) for businesses with advanced features. Developer monthly licenses are available at $9.99 and $50 for Professional and Professional Plus respectively.
SourceLockheed Martin Prepar3D: What are the system requirements?
Prepar3D v6 requires approximately 85 GB storage, 32 GB RAM or more for optimal performance, 8 GB or more VRAM, and a DX12-capable GPU with 64-bit architecture. Detailed scenery and aircraft add-ons can significantly increase storage and performance requirements.
SourceLockheed Martin Prepar3D: Can I create custom training scenarios?
Yes. Prepar3D includes SimDirector, a scenario generation tool that allows users to create training scenarios across aviation, maritime, and ground domains. Users can place world objects, define scenario logic, create missions, and provide instruction sessions, making it suitable for cockpit training, flight planning, and emergency response preparation.
SourceLockheed Martin Prepar3D: Is Prepar3D compatible with third-party add-ons?
Prepar3D v5 and v6 maintain compatibility with many Microsoft Flight Simulator X add-ons. However, 32-bit aircraft modules are not compatible with 64-bit Prepar3D versions, and third-party add-ons must be updated for the specific Prepar3D version being used.
SourceRelated pages
More on Collins Aerospace Systems
More on Lockheed Martin Prepar3D
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