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Aviation History
1983
1983 - 2104.PDF
AVIONICS Rediffusion takes F-15 display initiative ARLINGTON ~ Rediffusion Simulation Inc (RSI) has created some new CT-5A display sequences, in a bid to supply the USAF's F-15 simulators with visuals. "We are helping to define what the USAF might require from limited field-of-view F-15/F-16 visual displays," says Dave Shorrock, RRFs vice-president, marketing product development. The USAF will have an oppor tunity to evaluate Redif- fusion's efforts—an example of which appears on this page—in the first quarter of 1984. Shorrock emphasises that the work is a Rediffusion initiative, since the USAF has yet to be convinced that there is a cost-effective display system for training F-15 pilots. The USAF's simu lators were built by Goodyear, and lack visuals at present. Rediffusion's CT-5A is a computer-generated image visual display system aimed at military simulators, and provides some of the highest quality pictures available. The USAF's requirement is for a cost-effective, limited field-of- view display, however, so the aim is to use the minimum number of channels (i.e. cathode ray tubes) and limit what is shown on each. Unlike airline use of simu lators, where the aim is to eliminate the aircraft from the training effort, the USAF operates its F-15 simulators for "limited part-task training". This comple mentary role of military simu lators allows safer part-task training, which, it says, means an improved state-of- readiness. • The USAF has ordered a six-degrees-of-freedom RC- 135W operational trainer from GMI, for delivery in March 1985. Visuals will be a Rediffusion-supplied four- window, three channel SPI system with rotatable displays for in-flight refuelling. The trainer will be leased by the USAF, with an option to buy. u * -** \ Air-to-air target practice for F-15s is one of the sequences Rediffusion has developed for its CT-5A visual display system Kuwait opts for Thomson PARIS ~ Thomson CSF has won a FFrl-2 million order to modernise Kuwait's air defence network. The order, says Thomson, was won in the face of stiff competition, particularly from Hughes, the only other company to be in the final phase of the selection process. The contract, financed entirely from Kuwait's defence budget, is the biggest for air defence equipment won by Thomson so far this year. The award was made on the basis of Thomson's "original ity" in proposing a solution for integrating Kuwait's exist ing equipment into the more modern system it wanted, and because the low-altitude performance of Thomson's radar was deemed better than that of the competition. Thomson would not discuss which, or how many air defence radars were needed by Kuwait. The radar type is almost certainly the fixed location, three-dimensional TRS2230, which operates at up to 500km range. Modernisation of Kuwait's air defence network will be completed in three years. Installation of radar stations comes first, to be followed by a comprehensive update of the command and control system. Thomson says that the Kuwait award means it is well placed to win further orders from Gulf states. Big future for USAF simulation NEW YORK ~ A new report from market research company Frost & Sullivan predicts that the US Air Force will spend $3,800 million on flight simulators and other training aids over the next five years. The Air Force comes second only to the US Army, which will spend $4,400 million on simu lators during the period. The report notes that the military simulator market is dominated by Link, which currently holds a virtually unassailable position. But it says that market entry is easier at the lower end, where several companies compete to supply less complex and costly training aids. Leaders in this field are said to be General Electric, McDonnell Douglas, Sperry, and AAI. Six technology trends are identified in the study; 0 More research into human factors 9 Increased use of computer- aided instruction, and design # Transfer of flight simulator technology to other train ing aids # Development of helmet- mounted visual systems to replace the large visual systems now used 0 More research and devel opment into advanced visual systems 9 Improved maintenance trainer capability Copies of the 480-page report, price $1,300, are avail able from Frost & Sullivan Ltd, 104-112 Marylebone Lane, London WlM 5FU, or 106 Fulton Street, New York. 1358 FLIGHT International, 19 November 1983
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