UAV simulators added to growing distributed network that is blurring distinction between training and operations
Unmanned air vehicles are to be added to a growing network of distributed simulators that is blurring the boundaries between training and operations, allowing crews to train as they fight.
Under its distributed mission operations (DMO) programme, the US Air Force is to issue a request for proposals for mission training centres (MTC) for the General Atomics Predator UAV. The USAF already has networked MTCs for the Boeing F-15C and E-3, and Lockheed Martin F-16C.
Distributed simulation was a focus of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference in Orlando, Florida on 6-9 December. "Training used to be in distinct blocks," says Keith Hertzenberg, Boeing vice-president and general manager, training systems and services. "The blocks are blurring. Test, training and mission rehearsal are no longer discretely packaged."
Boeing is to add four-cockpitF-15C MTCs at Kadena AB in Japan in 2005 and RAF Lakenheath in the UK in 2006 - its first outside the USA. Lockheed Martin will deliver a four-cockpit suite to Misawa AB, Japan next year - its fourth MTC for the USAF's Block 50 F-16.
The DMO network is expanding to other services. The US Navy's first four-ship suite for the Boeing F/A-18C, built by L-3 Link, will come on line in January. A second is planned and the US Navy wants to add its latest Northrop Grumman E-2C simulators to the network. The US Marine Corps is planning to plug its F/A-18s into the DMO net and the US Army is studying connecting its Boeing AH-64 simulators.
Distributed training is also going international. The Swiss air force has selected L-3 Link to deliver four networked F-18 simulators in late 2008. These will be similar to Link's Hornet devices for the US Navy, Australia and Canada - although Canada has selected SGI's Onyx image generator instead of the Link SimuView visual chosen by the others.
Meanwhile, Saab is also moving the borders by combining mission planning and evaluation and training and rehearsal in one system - PETRA39 - for the JAS39C Gripen for the Swedish, Czech and Hungarian air forces. The system reuses software models and tools created for development of the aircraft, says Stefan Sandberg, training systems manager, and the mission planning workstation is identical to the simulator's instructor operator station. Two systems will be delivered to the Swedish air force and one each to the Czechs and Hungarians in 2005, the simulators equipped with SGI Onyx image generators and Barco eight-channel mini-dome displays.
The US Air Force is expected to decide in 2005 how to provide distributed mission training for Block 30 and 40 F-16s. L-3 Link, which is updating USAF F-16 weapon system trainers and unit training devices, is proposing to network these as an alternative to building more four-ship MTCs. "We have got to DMO-like capability with existing devices. It is not a big step to take them across the line," says Jon Foster, director, business development.
Special-operations contract up for grabs as ATARS is to be renewed
A prestigious contract to operate the US Air Force's special-operations aircrew training and rehearsal system (ATARS) is coming up for re-competition. Incumbent Lockheed Martin is expected to face stiff competition for the $100 million-a-year business, with cost likely to be a major factor.
Boeing, CAE and L-3 Link have all expressed interest in the ATARS re-competition, which is expected to get under way late next year. They have to decide whether to act as prime contractors or team to bid, as the shape of the competition is not clear. One possibility is that US Air Force and US Army special-operations training could be combined.
Under ATARS, Lockheed Martin provides academic and simulator training at three US locations. Training on 20 devices covers 50 unique crew positions on 12 different aircraft, and more than 4,000 students were trained last year, says Patrick St Romain, ATARS deputy programme manager.
Lockheed Martin is currently upgrading all devices with FlightSafety's Vital 9 visual system for commonality. Delivery of six FlightSafety-built simulators for the Bell Boeing CV-22 tiltrotor has begun and a weapon system trainer for the HC-130P is planned for acquisition next year.
The USAF plans to build a network operations centre, equipped with its own simulators, to allow its special-forces crews to participate in virtual exercises without interrupting training. A location has yet to be selected, says St Romain.
Award of the new ATARS contract is expected in mid-2006. CAE is seen as a strong contender because of its work with the US Army special operations aviation regiment, including new simulators and visual systems. Somewhat chastened by its failure to win the US Army's Flight School XXI competition last year, CAE has not decided whether to bid for ATARS as prime or join a
GRAHAM WARWICK / ORLANDO
Source: Flight International
