Link division's simulators will feature faceted mini-domes and laser projectors
Raytheon Australia and L-3 Communications are to provide the aircrew training system for the Royal Australian Air Force's upgraded AF-18 Hornets. L-3's Link Simulation & Training division is also to provide additional trainers for US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets under a $34 million contract.
The Australian contract will include at least three networked, Link-built tactical operational flight trainers (TOFT). The US Navy contract covers construction of an F/A-18E/F TOFT and upgrade of an existing trainer with Link's SimuSphere display system. In addition, the company will upgrade one dome of an F/A-18C weapons tactics trainer (WTT) to F/A-18E/F configuration. Contract options include upgrading the WTT's second 12.2m (40ft)-diameter dome.
The new and upgraded TOFTs will feature a seven-facet Simu-Sphere rear-projected display providing a 300° horizontal by 130° vertical field of view, and Link's SimuView PC-based image generator. The upgraded WTT dome will combine the SimuView image generator with Jenoptik's laser projectors to provide a 360° field of view.
The diode-pumped solid-state laser generates red, blue and green beams that are combined and delivered via optical fibre to the projection head, which uses mirrors to deflect the beam horizontally and vertically to scan the image on to the display. Lasers provide higher brightness, resolution and contrast than the light-valve projectors previously used in dome displays and now out of production.
Source: Flight International